China News

Hawaii Commissioner: State Based Insurance Regulation Works

There’s a need for state-based insurance regulation, according to Hawaii Insurance Commissioner J. P. Schmidt. Speaking to professors and experts in finance from around the world in his keynote speech at the 16th Annual Global Financial Conference. Commissioner Schmidt’s speech …

Somali Pirates Hold American Hostage for Third Day

U.S. warships stalked a drifting lifeboat where Somali pirates were holding their first American hostage on Friday, apparently hoping to win a promise of safe passage in exchange for the captive. Four pirates have been holding ship’s captain Richard Phillips, …

Credit Insurer Coface Downgrades 28 Countries, 19 on Negative Watch

Trade credit insurer Coface notes that the current “credit crisis, which entered its second phase in the fourth quarter of 2008, is worsening in all regions. After observing a decline in the average financial strength of companies in 22 countries …

U.S. Lawmakers Seek Ban on Tainted Chinese Drywall

U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson, D.-Fla., and Mary Landrieu, D.-La., have filed legislation for a recall and immediate ban on tainted building products from China, as more and more people around the country are reporting problems in their homes built with …

ING to Divest up to $10.6 Billion in Assets; Focus on Europe

The Netherlands ING Group said on Thursday that it plans to divest operations worth up to €8 billion ($10.6 billion) to reduce risk and will focus its banking activities on Europe. ING, which was loss-making in 2008 and got a …

Ping An Says to Keep ‘Open Attitude’ on Fortis Plan

Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China Ltd will keep an open attitude on plans to restructure financial group Fortis and welcomes a better plan for shareholders, its president Louis Cheung said on Thursday. Cheung told a news conference that …

G-20 Leaders Blacklist 4 Tax Havens

Four nations were blacklisted as uncooperative tax havens Thursday after G-20 leaders declared the age of banking secrecy was over and said they would no longer tolerate shady havens draining away badly needed tax revenue. At the request of the …

Lord Levene Discusses Protectionism, Recession in Bloomberg Interview

Lloyd’s Chairman, Lord Peter Levene, has given his views on protectionism, regulation, recession and tomorrow’s world order in an interview on Bloomberg TV. He also “assessed the mood of the G20 leaders, saying that politicians showed unity and were sincere …

G20 Seals $1.1 Trillion Deal

World leaders clinched a $1.1 trillion deal on Thursday to combat the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and said financial rules would be tightened to stop it happening again. U.S. President Barack Obama declared it a “turning point” …

Obama Plays Up Role as Consensus Builder at G20

Where President George W. Bush was known for his “cowboy diplomacy,” his successor, President Barack Obama wants to be known as a listener and a builder of bridges. Taking his first major foreign trip since becoming president in January, Obama …