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Children around the world may be fawning over their Christmas spoils, but Alibaba founder Jack Ma, who is headlining the news this week with a major Christmas charcoal from Beijing, is not. In the meantime, anyone staying home for the holidays can curl up on the couch with some of our latest lengthy reads, including our cover story on the tricks online gamers use to thwart laws banning their favorite hobby. And as a final food for thought, I recommend an article in our “Trends in China” series about a comedian who is coming under fire for hanging the “Gentlemen Only” sign in his men’s clubhouse.
– Doug Young, Managing Editor
This week’s top stories surround the increasingly beleaguered Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and the other Jack Ma-controlled tech giant, Ant Group Co. Ltd. In the space of just a few months, the couple have moved on from the girl From the eyes of Beijing to the stubborn child who needs a lesson. Read the latest here.
Beijing launches antitrust investigation on Alibaba
The main financial control bodies will give a conference to Ant Group on regulation and consumer rights
And speaking of lessons, this story has former Finance Minister Lou Jiwei offering some interesting advice to regulators to reduce risk in China’s fragmented bond market.
Former Finance Minister’s Call for Bond Market Reform Causes a Central Bank Backlash
Anyone want roulette?
Our cover story this week delves into how gamers outsmart the police at depositing money into accounts and enabling their online habits, and how the problem has become rampant with the rise of electronic payments.
Cover Story: How Illegal Online Gambling Launches $ 153 Billion From China
And if that’s not a deep enough read, take a look at China’s quest to enter the global vaccine market, including a great overview of the vaccine industry.
In Depth: Questions Remain About China’s Vaccine Export Agreements
And iron ore traders will soon need their own shot against vertigo if prices continue to skyrocket. See what’s happening inside the market for one of the world’s most important commodities.
Commodity stock warns of bubble as iron ore futures hit record highs
Historical events
Moving away from business stories, this upcoming election represents an interesting story about the disputed ownership of the writings of John Leighton Stuart, the last US ambassador to China in the pre-communist era.
Dispute over the writings of a towering figure in US-China diplomacy ends auction
And China watchers will also recognize the name of Ezra Vogel, a leading Chinese scholar who died at the age of 90.
Global academics mourn East Asian expert Ezra F. Vogel
This one also marks something of a death, as the shareholders of internet stalwart Sina Corp. officially voted to accept a takeover offer that will see the company delisted from the Nasdaq list. Modern historians will know that Sina made headlines in 2000, when it became the first Chinese internet company to go public in New York.
The two-decade run on Wall Street is nearing the end of the Internet Trailblazer Sina
And finally
Mao Zedong may have said that women hold up half the sky, but apparently that doesn’t apply to comedy. Check out this interesting piece from our “Trends in China” series about a famous comedian who is being criticized for proudly saying that he does not accept women in his academy.
Trends in China: Greater Respect or Disgust? Famous comedian generates excitement by telling potential female partners: ‘Don’t waste our time’
Contact reporter Yang Ge ([email protected])
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