The global internet system is being split into distinct jurisdictions with differing – often opposing – standards, actors and regulators. In China the internet has always been subject to the laws and standards of various Beijing regulators – often referred to as the “Great Firewall of China”. As the PRC gets better at restricting and filtering access, we are witnessing the emergence of a distinctly Chinese internet that will look vaguely similar to the rest of the world’s – but in fact perform different functions and have a completely new …

The latest Hurun Report on China’s wealthiest people highlights how the super-rich of Beijing want to live their lives. Beijing has the largest number of wealthy people in China, according to the report. It said there are 143,000 multimillionaires and 8,800 billionaires in Beijing. There are 116,000 multimillionaires and 7,000 billionaires in Shanghai.
High-rollers in Beijing need to spend at least 87 million yuan on property, cars and other luxury goods in order to be regarded as one of the city’s “new aristocrats”, or upper class, the report said. They own …

Tourist visa applications from China have dropped by up to 80 percent during the past three months, a leading newspaper The Australian reports on Monday. Chinese visitor numbers were down as much as 80 percent over the past three months after concerns over A/H1N1 flu and the global recession. In June, the numbers were down by 21 percent compared with the same period in 2008.
Incoming tourist applications from China – Australia’s fastest-growing tourism market – have collapsed by up to 80 percent over the past three months, putting in doubt …

BEIJING, August 24, 2009. Source: China Daily – The demand for high-end hotels in China is sinking in a financial downturn that is showing no fast signs of recovery. “There isn’t enough demand for top hotels in front-line cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, as these markets are saturated,” said Lily Ng, senior vice-president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. “And the concern in the second-tier cities is whether local consumption can cover the high investment,” Ng said.
Transaction volumes of Chinese hotels sank from $1.6 billion in 2006 to $1 …