Hao Hao ReportThe best China news and blog posts

Until this year when inflation finally became a factor, the rapidly rising price levels that typically accompany high-growth economies have been notably missing from China’s economic picture. It is surprising how China has been able to grow its economy at double-digit rates over the past 10 years, employing plenty of fiscal and monetary stimuli, without having to deal with the ravages of high inflation. In three of the past 10 years, inflation has actually been negative; in five it has been less than 1 percent; and in eight it has been under 2 percent.

A review of China's recent inflation, brought on by rising food prices. The price of pork, one of the staples of China's diet, rose because of an outbreak of blue-ear pig disease. Doesn't this mean that environmental neglect is a direct cause of economic woes?

Isn't it great to be the world's supplier of manufactured goods, importing the world's jobs, and having them all pay for your products? Yes, sure, but not at all costs. China bears some of them, too - and it's not only about poor labour standards in some sectors.

What effect does China have on prices in the West, and by extension Western interest rates and Western perceived purchasing power?

Lower CPI means lower interest rates over the past decade. Yet this article highlights than cost savings now mean higher inflation in the future as Chinese wages and the Renminbi appreciate faster than of countries where production was switched from.

Can China move up the Value Chain fast enough to offset this?

I hope nobody gets their underwear tied in a knot over this. I welcome any and all 'Ways to know someone is an American/Japanese/Russian or any other Asian country. Let me have it ...in good fun, mind you.

Here are 20 Ways to know someone is Chinese:

Kaiser Kuo's review of QQ currency and fears of it contributing to RMB money supply and inflation, and also stock price manipulation for Tencent. Virtual currency fans should read this!

China held a meeting on Thursday morning to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its reform and opening-up drive, which turned the once poverty-stricken country into one of the world's largest economies. The top leaders, including President Hu Jintao, were part of the ceremony, which started at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing at 10:00 a.m.

Just as the country is itself emerging as one of the major players in the global economy, Mainland Chinese cinema is growing in international stature and recognition. Whilst in the past the film factory that is Hong Kong had dominated Chinese cinema, at least in export terms, in recent years many of the key productions which have earned worldwide release have in fact come from the Mainland, such as Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower.

Fresh out of college, American Dana Burton arrived in China to bring hip-hop to the Middle Kingdom. Now, eight years later, he’s become the godfather of hip-hop in the most populous country in the world. FP talks to the 32-year-old impresario about his unlikely journey from the streets of Detroit to the nightclubs of Shanghai.