Thought Pieces

AI Ambitions: Challenges to Innovation as the US and China Drive Global Tech

AI Ambitions: Challenges to Innovation as the US and China Drive Global Tech 1200 675 Blackpeak

Both despite and because of the US and China competing in AI innovation for geopolitical and economic reasons, the two countries contribute to the industry’s development with their different tech and policy orientations.

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There’s Wood Enough Within: Trong’s Corruption Crackdown and Implications for Doing Business in Vietnam

There’s Wood Enough Within: Trong’s Corruption Crackdown and Implications for Doing Business in Vietnam 1200 675 Blackpeak

On 23 October 2018, Vietnam’s National Assembly elected Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as the country’s President with 99.8% of the vote from the Assembly members.

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More Than a Trade War: Understanding Political Risk as US Scrutinizes Chinese Investment

More Than a Trade War: Understanding Political Risk as US Scrutinizes Chinese Investment 1200 675 Blackpeak

In August 2018, President Trump signed a bill expanding the scope and powers of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The new law has important implications for Chinese…

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Navigating Brazil’s 2018 Election: What Investors Can Expect

Navigating Brazil’s 2018 Election: What Investors Can Expect 1200 675 Blackpeak

If there is anything that Sunday’s electoral results showed us, it is that Brazil’s political landscape in 2018 is as polarizing, unprecedented, and unpredictable as ever.

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The China A-Shares Adventure Begins

The China A-Shares Adventure Begins 1200 675 Blackpeak

The recent inclusion of hundreds of mainland China-listed companies into the MSCI Global Emerging Markets Index means money managers are now obliged to invest in companies many know little about.

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Corporate Governance Reform: Enhancing Japan’s Power to EARN

Corporate Governance Reform: Enhancing Japan’s Power to EARN 1200 675 Blackpeak

The implementation of the Corporate Governance Code (“CG Code”) in Japan has been a central pillar of the Abe administration’s Japan Revitalization Strategy.

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Cyber security Challenges in Japan’s Cryptocurrency Market

Cyber security Challenges in Japan’s Cryptocurrency Market 1000 563 Blackpeak

In December 2017, the price of a bitcoin was more than USD 19,000 – nearly fifteen times the price for an ounce of gold. But while gold is a physical object…

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Anti-social Forces Screening in Japan

Anti-social Forces Screening in Japan 1200 675 Blackpeak

In Japan, screening for Anti-social Forces (ASF) issues requires careful, thorough review in each case. Careful and professional ASF screening cannot be achieved with a simple compliance database review…

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China Briefing: Trump’s Potential Trade Actions Against China and Their Implications

China Briefing: Trump’s Potential Trade Actions Against China and Their Implications 1200 675 Blackpeak

In his 2018 State of the Union Address, United States President Donald Trump announced that “the era of economic surrender is totally over,” and that “we expect trading relationships to be…

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Small Loans, Big Profits: The Consumer Finance Market in China

Small Loans, Big Profits: The Consumer Finance Market in China 1200 675 Blackpeak

Since early 2015, consumer finance companies have been some of the hottest investments in China. But competition is harsher than ever, with pioneers and new entrants fighting for their slice of the pie. The industry is now at risk of becoming another investment bubble.

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