Archive for the ‘house’ Category
The Great Wall of China is a monument that testifies to the ingenuity of ancient man. It is a realization that we today do not have 
the monopoly of stellar achievements. Surviving thousands of years of war and conflict, it stands today as a reminder that no amount of technology can equal the simple power of human dedication.
The Great Wall of China had one apparent goal: to keep the northern barbarians from China. Construction was carried out during the Ch’in Dynasty period, around 221 to 207 B.C., though it has been learned that earlier foundations of the Wall had already existed by then, even going further back to the fifth century B.C. Emperor Shih Huang Qi incorporated earlier smaller segments of the Wall into this great structure we know today: rising about 20 to 30 feet high, stretching a little over 5,500 miles from Shanhaiguan to Lop Nur.
Original Chinese wall-building is now known to have existed in the region around 800 B.C., a period of constant attacks from northern barbarians. As with any other basic engineering techniques developing during that time, earth was used. And it continued to be used three hundred years later, during the Period of the Warring States (the fifth century to 221 B.C.), when it was imperative for the feudal territories such as Qi, Yan, and Zhao to create their own walls and protect their borders. Defending against sword and spear attacks, the engineers of this era made use of stamped earth and gravel encased within broad frames.
For about four hundred years, the Great Wall was maintained. But there is a pronounced trend in Chinese history where the final years of a dynastic reign is marred with political corruption and negligence of public responsibility and accountability. Though it was not much seen during the Ch’in Dynasty period-Emperor Qi being its only ruler and had left no rightful heir-it was evident in the succeeding Han Dynasty (202 B.C. to A.D. 221). The period of political weakness meant neglect for the Great Wall. And for three and a half centuries, China allowed the Wall, its earthen symbol of strength and unity, to erode. So great has been this natural damage that it has worn away any trace of extent to which the Emperor Qi intended his wall to reach. Though latter re-buildings did occur, they were done in such a minor scale, reminiscent of the pre-Ch’in era when the states warred against each other.
Lending difficulties:-Business lending difficulty in China is a social problem, not entirely attributed to companies themselves.First, a considerable number of companies, especially state-owned enterprises, have weak credit awareness, resulting in low bank credit ratings. With many loans from banks have become overdue loans, commercial banks are reluctant to issue more lending.Second, some local governments, especially grassroots governments, do not have strong credit awareness, either. In enterprise ownership restructuring process, certain grassroots governments even treated bank debt relinquishment as a way to unload enterprise burdens. Thus sacrificing banks for enterprise reform is not an uncommon phenomenon.
Third, state-owned commercial banks still possess less reasonable systems, less complete mechanisms, and less understanding of policy directions. Commercial banks of course need to emphasize financial security, but they should also realize sales and marketing aspects by identifying and cultivating clients. For deposit money absorbed from the society, commercial banks should lend as much out as possible, in order to create profits. If a commercial bank is unwilling to sell products (loans), but instead sitting at home waiting for customers, then this is definitely not yet conformed to the true meaning of a commercial bank.
Inefficient mechanism:-A lot of funds idle within the banking system, while many reasonable financing demands cannot be fulfilled, creating the dilemma of hard lending and hard borrowing. This is mainly due to some existing problems within the system and mechanism of the big four commercial banks (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Agricultural Bank of China).First, lending authority of grassroots bank branches have been removed, resulting in cumbersome loan approval process. Many county-level branches are only for deposit taking, with no lending rights. Some municipal level branches are able to issue working capital loans, but not fixed asset loans in most cases. As many companies belong to county and municipal levels, if they request fixed asset investment borrowing, the application will need to go through the ranks to the provincial head office. When the hierarchical approval processes are completed, the investment opportunity is already gone.
What’s going on with China? Soon after the Olympics, China disappeared. Much was said about how China went from importing huge amounts of goods and services to importing and exporting next to nothing. A lot of this comes from the China stimulus. Nobody knew where they went. Now, they’re coming back and it appears that they are coming back with one of best economies in world. Still though, it may be the best of the worst.
Many people are talking about China being an economy that has bottomed. Not only are investors talking, but they are investing. What are the facts behind this?”China looks set to be the first major economy to recover from the current global meltdown,” said Lu Ting, an economist with Merrill Lynch & Co. in Hong Kong. In November, the China stimulus plan went in to effect. That resulted in building of public housing and three new railways. The Chinese government committed 1.2 Trillion Yuan to this stimulus. The effect of this stimulus is beginning to take effect.
While China is the only one of the world’s three biggest economies still growing, the expansion has slowed to 9 percent last year. China has the ammunition to maintain growth, said Merrill Lynch’s Lu. It has public debt of only 18.5 percent of gross domestic product — compared with 75 percent in India. China has foreign currency reserves of $1.95 trillion, and a balanced budget. It’s also important to note that currently, China is buying U.S. Government debt at a blistering pace.Next, China is importing more. Their iron ore importing has increased 28% since October and Coca-Cola and McDonalds report a large increase in revenues in the country. Again, the China stimulus in action.
Last, China’s version of the Dow Jones, the Shanghai Composite Index has climbed significantly since last year’s November low. For perspective, the Dow Jones would have to be above 10,100 to be up by the same amount. Investors are paying attention and putting money to work in this rapidly recovering country.How can the home investor capitalize on China? It’s difficult because of government regulations but my favorite way is by investing in an ETF. The iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (FXI) ETF. The fund holds the top 25 largest Chinese companies, including China Mobile, PetroChina (PTR), China Construction Bank (CICHF.PK) and other large names. When you look at the charts, you will see an unimpressive growth line but keep in mind that China is just now being noticed and if you take a position now and hold it for the long term, you are most likely going to see very healthy growth.
From: The Serious Speculator
Twenty five years ago, I can remember discussing the markets with a very astute and successful investor. He possessed a wisdom that only comes from years of experience. I was telling him about a speculative company that I thought was the hottest thing ever and how everyone was getting involved and were going to be rich.
He listened patiently while I went through my pitch then calmly asked me, “During the gold rush, thousands flocked to the gold fields to strike it rich but, aside from a very few miners who got lucky, do you know who made a fortune yet avoided the limelight?” I thought about it and came up blank so he smiled and told me, “It was the guy that was selling picks and shovels.”
Using that analogy, Chang-On International (OTCBB: CAON) is the proverbial pick and shovel company in the midst of the construction gold rush in China. Construction is booming in China big time. US government statistics reveal that “Construction spending in China increased 165% in the last four years, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, and is still expanding at 25% annually.” Source: BuyUSA.gov. At the same time, the Chinese government is putting an emphasis on the greening of the construction industry, both in the quality of construction and construction methods.
A key component in construction projects are the tools used to manufacture components from pipes to concrete walls and water tanks. Most of these components share one thing in common. They all need a mold or “formwork” to be made. In China traditionally these molds have been made out of bamboo or some other wood or steel. The problem with these materials are that steel is too expensive and needed elsewhere and wood molds don’t last very long. Enter Chang-On International.
Chang-On International has developed its own proprietary technology which allows them to build these molds out of a special resin composed primarily out of recycled plastic and fly ash, a byproduct of burning coal. The result of this amazing development is a mold that is less expensive than its counterparts, lasts longer than wood, is lighter than steel and seals better making for a higher quality finished product. What’s more, being made entirely out of recycled materials, Chang-On’s products satisfy the Chinese Government’s mandate for green construction.
Led by an experienced management team headed by Guomin Li, 47, a pioneer in the field of manufacturing building materials from waste products, Mr Li has been the Chairman of Harbin Hongbo Environment Protection Material Ltd since 2004, now the operating subsidiary of Chang-On International. Over the last 4 years, Mr. Li and his staff of researchers have developed and perfected the proprietary technology that is the basis of their newly implemented marketing strategy.