Chinese Investment in Canadian Energy and Natural Resources: Boon or Bogey Man?

Since Prime Minister Harper changed his government’s policy on China, Canada is welcoming, indeed encouraging Chinese investment. According to Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, “The stock of foreign direct investment into Canada from China reached approximately C$14 billion at the end of 2010. Chinese firms are actively investing abroad and have expressed a …

Are You Wearing Something Clean?

Water shortages and pollution trouble China, with two thirds of over 600 cities lacking sufficient clean water. Industrial use and wastewater discharge are major causes for water shortages and heavy pollution with the textile industry the biggest source of both.  In November 2011 Greenpeace published Dirty Laundry – Unraveling the corporate connections to toxic water pollution …

China for Dummies: Understanding the Roles of Major Political Groups

A girl is reading the newspaper, and after she finished she asked her mom, “Who is the Party Committee?” Mom answered, “The Party Committee is your dad, who doesn’t work at all but always scolds others.” The girl then asked, “Who is the government?” Mom answered, “The Government is me, who works all day long and is …