Washington, D.C. – On April 18, 2019 FAO Global Associates attended The Evolution of CFIUS & Export Controls law brief held at American University College of Law. The event convened two separate panels. discussing the evolution of The Committee on Foreign Investment into the United States (CFIUS) and the impact of the recently passed Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) of 2017… Read the full brief here.
As of May 8th, the Japanese and Chinese governments have announced plans to create a council to discuss joint China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in other nations. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang are expected to formally establish the council during the Japanese, Chinese, South Korean summit happening May 9. – Adriana Ray
Xiamen – On September 9th, FAO Global CEO Brandon Hughes, attended an all-day forum focused on the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) from both a Chinese business perspective and government. This forum was part of the 20th China International Fair for Investment and Trade held in Xiamen City, Fujian province, China. The event was attended by provincial and city leaders from Xiamen and Fujian, as well the Ambassador to Beijing from Slovakia, the U.S. State Department, and an emissary from Egypt. – Brandon Hughes
On June 18, Google announced that it would be investing $550 million in JD.com, also known as Jingdong. JD is China’s biggest e-commerce company and claims net revenue of 100.1 billion Chinese Yuan (16.0 billion USD) in Q1 2018. As per the investment agreement, JD will join the Google Shopping advertising platform and in return, JD will work with Google on other e-commerce projects in Europe, Southeast Asia and the United States. – Ziqing Zhang
As of June 6th, images taken in the first week of June show that China has removed or relocated the surface-to-air missile systems from Woody Island, a disputed territory in the South China Sea. Beijing-based naval expert, Li Jie, said that the removal was temporary and for the purpose of maintenance. – Ziqing Zhang
As of May 30, Chinese construction firm, Gezhouba Group, acquired Brazilian water supply company Sistema Productor São Lourenço as part of the expansive the Belt and Road Initiative. The project is expected to help alleviate water shortage problems in Sao Paulo. Some experts are concerned that China is trying to expand its renewable energy influence in international markets by buying up foreign utility firms. – Ziqing Zhang
As of May 31, the Canadian government announced that it was blocking a proposed $1.18 billion USD acquisition of the Canadian firm Aecon Group Inc. by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) over national security concerns. – Adriana Ray
In the last week of May, the Canadian government announced that it was blocking a proposed $1.18 billion acquisition of the Canadian firm Aecon Group Inc. by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), citing national security concerns. Had the deal gone through, CCCC would have potentially received troves of documents from the Canadian government detailing government contracts, including nuclear reactors agreements.
On May 30, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that China’s GDP enjoyed a 6.8% growth in the first quarter. However, the IMF currently predicts decreasing growth, down to 6.6%, due to the Sino-American trade friction’s potential impact on the country’s trade. – Ziqing Zhang
As of May 21, Beijing announced that it would be purchasing additional American imports in the coming years after both the United States and China decided to “halt” the trade war — a conflict US President Donald Trump claims was sparked primarily by the large American deficit in their trade relationship. – Adriana Ray
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