September 24, 2007
Today's Links: Mattel's apology, Merkel's meeting with the Dalai Lama and yet another mine blaze
- Low-priced Chinese cars quietly gain a foothold in Europe [The Boston Globe]
China's quiet inroads into Europe are the first test of rich markets by Chinese automakers as they build dealer networks and deliver small shipments of cars to test the reaction of drivers and auto industry experts. The game the Japanese mastered in 15 years, and the Koreans in 10 will possibly take the Chinese just five years. - China coal mine blaze kills three, traps 15 [AFP]
Rescuers were struggling on Sunday to extinguish a three-day-old fire in a Shanxi province coal mine that has killed three miners and left another 15 missing - Google targets Chinese with new video service [Shanghai Daily]
Google Inc launched a Chinese-language video search service yesterday, its latest effort to attract users and increase market share in the battle against its more-dominant domestic rival. - Why Mattel Apologized to China [TIME]
So Mattel found a face-saving way of taking back the blame that it had previously placed so squarely on its Chinese partners, the source of all the toys it recalled this year. The "vast majority of those products that were recalled were the result of a design flaw in Mattel's design, not through a manufacturing flaw in China's manufacturers," said its executive vice president for worldwide operations. - China Unveils New Crackdown on TV Talent Competitions [AP]
hina has issued strict new rules for TV talent shows, banning "American Idol"-style mass audience voting by mobile phone text message and the Internet and forcing the programs out of prime time. - Searching for a highly symbolic car-free day [China Herald]
While Xinhua hailed last weekened's Car Free Day as a "significant day", Fons Tuinstra of China Herald failed to notice any difference on Shanghai roads, and instead almost got killed by a car! - Despite censure from Beijing, Merkel meets with Dalai Lama in Berlin [IHT]
Defying Chinese criticism and pressure, Chancellor Angela Merkel met the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, on Sunday in Berlin, becoming the first German chancellor to do so, despite warnings from Beijing that it could damage economic contacts.
Photo by 2 dogs.
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The difference is that the low priced Japanese cars were still comparable in quality compared to US cars, the Chinese cars shatter like a lead coated Mattel toy on impact and run about as well as a watch filled with sand.
Oh, all of you should google the video "The Money Masters".