China’s ‘iPhone city’ Zhengzhou braces for uncertainty as Trump returns to office

Despite speaks that Foxconn may depart Zhengzhou, there have been new indicators that the condition may be improving.

The technology producing large brought in around 50,000 workers in its latest getting rampage in August. It also promised to invest 1 billion yuan ( US$ 137 million ) to build a new business headquarters in the city.

Foxconn did not respond to CNA’s ask for opinions on its Zhengzhou plan.

TRUMP AND Taxes

Trump’s taxes pose a significant risk not only to the town ’s market, but also to the livelihoods of many workers who rely on those sectors. The flutter effects extend to the areas where these staff live, potentially disrupting regional economies and social security.

However, the influence of Trump’s industry plan on China may be felt beyond its technologies sector, said businesses.

For example, Jungle Tiger, a Zhengzhou-based company that sells outdoor experience products such as camping tents, tents, and pan, is worried it may be affected.

The business ’s items are listed on e-commerce programs like Alibaba and exported to overseas buyers.

Its leader Zhang Gaofeng said the company started selling to the US in 2018, and managed to buck the trend in Trump’s first name because it principally targets the high-end business.

The company exports mainly to Europe and America, with the US being its largest industry, accounting for about 40 per cent of its imports.

However, Zhang said he is not putting all his eggs in one basket, especially after Trump’s challenges to hit further tariffs on Foreign items.

“We are now entering areas in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The Middle East accounts for 20 per cent of our sales, ” he added.

“As US laws evolve, we are diversifying our business target. We are likewise exploring Russia due to its potential and proper relations with China. ”

Authorities said many companies still need to supply components or components from China.

“Redirecting funding to Vietnam, to India, is not as red. The business environment may not be able also to compare with Zhengzhou, ” said Liu Baocheng, director of the Center for International Business Ethics at the University of International Business and Economics.

“The important matter is that China has a pretty strong professional cluster. For some of the little devices or parts, you still need to supply within mainland China. ”

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently reaffirmed China’s devotion to more open up its business and align itself with global trade rules, warning that business wars produce no winners.

But whether that is enough to encourage Trump that China is in for good business remains to be seen, said spectators.

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What does Shanghai’s shrinking expatriate population mean for China?

Shanghai-based F& B blog Shen Yiding said he noticed the number of international visitors dropped after 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

With higher rental charges in Shanghai, the little restaurant strategy has also become more common in the town, said Shen.

“The dining areas and recipes are then cut to size, and scaled to pin a smaller group of people. It is largely due to hire price because in Shanghai, leasing makes up a bigger part of operating cost, ” he added.

In the past year, franchises that went great or catered to the expat business have struggled to fill their furniture. Some closed, with other life companies that expanded also rapidly suffering as well.

For starters, Will’s Fitness was again Shanghai’s largest exercise string, boasting more than 70 gyms in the town only at one point.

Today, a majority of them have closed – some shuttered by store landlords over rental and power arrears.

Rewards FROM ECONOMIC Swings

The stranger absence may alter as China tries to connect its policies for progress, said Lim Han Shen, an associate professor of exercise in financing at Oxford Shanghai.  

“There’s going to be a need for funding, talent, innovation, ” he added.

“And from my standpoint, having been here in China for the last 18 years, Shanghai is near the top of also attracting skills into China, if not from international countries, at least internally within China. ”

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Lonely sunfish in Japan aquarium cheered up by human photos, staff uniforms

Fish have feelings also– at least if a lonely bream in a Chinese aquarium is anything to go by.  

Pet carers at the Kaikyokan in the southern area of Shimonoseki were concerned when Mambo the bream appeared to fall poor, immediately after the hospital closed for repairs in early December.  

Staff took several steps to perk up the thing, with minimal results.

They immediately suspected worms and digestive problems as Mambo stopped eating jelly and began rubbing its figure against the plastic container, reported the Mainichi Shimbun.

But a discovery came when an individual suggested that the bream may be depressed due to the lack of customers, the pond said in a social media post earlier this month.  

Despite being convinced of the “99 per share” possibility that it would not job, staff decorated the fish tank with images of human eyes and ocean uniforms.  

An image shared by the ocean showed holes of mind stuck to the wall, alongside outfits draped on clothing hangers and a plate.  

It worked- Mambo’s heath improved the very next day.  

“ I honestly can’t feel it, but the specific currently on display was very curious and often came close to the front of the container when visitors were present, ” said the aquarium, adding that it was probable that the sudden disappearance of visitors did certainly impact health.  

Thanks to further observation and more waving from staff members, Mambo’s health returned to normal.

There is still some time to go before the fish gets a regular stream of real human visitors as the facility is slated to reopen sometime in summer this year.  

MOLA MOLA

According to the Mainichi Shimbun, Mambo arrived at Kaiyokan from off the coast of Kochi Prefecture in February 2024. At the time, it was 79. 5cm long and weighed about 28kg.  

It has since grown slightly larger and Mambo’s gender is unknown, said the report.  

The ocean sunfish, also known as mola mola, can grow up to 335cm long and weigh up to 2. 5 tons.  

According to the National Geographic, the omnivorous fish can live up to 10 years in captivity.

Despite their size and unusual appearance, sunfish are harmless to humans. They primarily feed on jellyfish but will also consume small fish and algae.  

It is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
 

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6.0-magnitude earthquake shakes Taiwan

TAIWAN’S Superior WARNING SYSTEM Taiwan is often hit by disasters due to its location on the ends of two seismic plates near the Pacific Ring of Fire, which USGS says is the most seismically active area in the world. The next major disaster occurred in April 2024 when the isleContinue Reading