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2020 | Book

Modern China

Financial Cooperation for Solving Sustainability Challenges

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About this book

Calling for more cooperation between China and the west, this new book by noted author and educator Cary Krosinsky provides readers with an on-the-ground perspective of what’s really happening in China today on the back of its recent economic rise, its desire and need to solve environmental challenges and the new positive dynamic created by its need for foreign capital.

In doing so, Krosinsky and his colleagues from the Sustainable Finance Institute and Brown University highlight how China has recaptured its role as a leader in innovation, arguing that current approaches to the relationship hinder global progress on issues such as climate change, inequality, air pollution, food integrity and water security and pushes back on confrontational approaches and attempts to clarify misperceptions about contemporary China.

China’s recent rise includes becoming a global leader on green policy and green finance, as it is increasingly leading the way towards modernization through innovation strategies focused on infrastructure, education, healthcare and aspects of clean energy technology, leading to opportunities across private equity, venture capital and green bonds. This creates an exciting opportunity for positive change, with environmental challenges becoming more salient to its own population, adding pressure on the government to provide solutions. China changes faster than any country in the world, creating an opportunity for meaningful, ongoing, positive transitions.

Modern China is a call for more cooperation, and makes a clear, cogent case for collaboration in the face of current confrontational approaches. At the same time, dire environmental and social circumstances require an all-hands-on-deck approach. This book provides specific examples of what’s working and what’s needed to compete and thrive in this new paradigm through trusted relationships placed front and center for the future of economies and the betterment of global society.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
1. The Cooperation Imperative
Abstract
The imperative to cooperate with China to solve environmental challenges is now clear. In recent decades, China has perhaps understandably depended on fossil fuels to promote industrialization and economic growth; however, this has increased carbon emissions and air pollutants in major urban areas. Air pollutants like ozone, volatile organic compounds, nitrous oxides and particulate matter remain one of the greatest public health challenges. China in solving its own problems can also then be in a strong position to help other countries reduce their own emissions, creating an important dynamic for solving global challenges.
Cary Krosinsky
2. Environmental, Social and Governance Challenges in China Today
Abstract
In recent decades, China has understandably depended on fossil fuels to promote industrialization and economic growth; however, this has increased carbon emissions and air pollutants in its major urban centers. Air pollutants like ozone, volatile organic compounds, nitrous oxides and particulate matter remain a significant public health challenge and there are similar issues that require focus. Fortunately, the country is focused on solving these problems. China in solving its own problems in this regard would then be in a strong position to help other countries in Asia reduce their own emissions, creating an important positive dynamic for solving global challenges.
Devyn Collado-Nicol
3. China and Innovation
Abstract
Throughout its history, China was a hub for technology and innovation; however, over the past two centuries the country fell behind. When China opened its economy in the 1980s, it started with a low-margin and low-tech original equipment manufacturing model, and slowly but steadily moved up the value chain, upgrading its business model. Innovation has become extremely important in modern China, becoming a key national strategy for economic growth, and the government has developed intellectual property laws and other strategies to further encourage technological development and successful innovation.
Huang Zhong, Lucia Winton, Cary Krosinsky
4. Implications of the Technology Race
Abstract
Current tensions between the US and China center around a race for technological supremacy, and this technological race raises the stakes for all investors: it increases investment risk and requires further analysis on potential impact and opportunity. While the technology race between China and the United States could hinder US-China collaboration and slow global climate change cooperation as a result, it could also produce flurries of innovation in areas such as technology, clean energy and biotech, as well as more rapid solutions to pandemics as are being experienced in 2020 from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
Jackson Barkstrom
5. Understanding Chinese History: A Brief Look at China from Its Origins Through the 1700s
Abstract
China has more than 5000 years of history. Its history begins with the Bronze Age (2700 BC). China was often dominated by different ruling families, separated by periods called dynasties. Starting with the Xia dynasty and ending with the Qing dynasty in 1912, China underwent important economic, cultural, technological and geographical transitions.
Miranda McDermott, Cary Krosinsky, Huang Zhong
6. A Century of Humiliation
Abstract
During the mid-nineteenth century, China’s historical course began to shift. In the ensuing period that came to be known as the Century of Humiliation, China ultimately was taken advantage of by foreign powers who, in effect, dominated the country for their own benefit. This period of time in China’s history was host to several wars with foreign nations and rebellions within the country’s borders. The weakening Qing Dynasty rulers, facing increasing internal and external pressures, often turned to foreign powers for assistance. Ultimately, the Qing were overthrown by revolutionaries looking to establish a republican government, thus bringing an end to China’s thousands of years of dynastic rule.
Alexander Rafatjoo
7. 1900 to 2001: Chaos, Cultural Revolution and China’s Economic Rise
Abstract
After the abdication of the last Qing emperor, China underwent a period of political instability which culminated with Mao’s “Great Leap Forward” strategy and the Cultural Revolution. After Mao’s death, Deng Xiaoping implemented Opening Up and Reform, whereby China was able to finally open its doors to the global economy. As the world’s largest exporter with an economy now 30 times larger than it was in 1979, China has propelled itself into a new era.
Mae Fullerton
8. China Speed: Modern China’s Work Ethic and Sociology
Abstract
The speed of China’s economic growth over the past four decades has impressed the world. China’s high-speed growth is demonstrated throughout its economy, in its increasing political power and its technological and infrastructure development and its ability to drive change is unmatched. Fast development has at times come at the expense of labor conditions, environmental deterioration in communities and intellectual property violations but China learns fast as well.
Huang Zhong, Cary Krosinsky
9. China as a Leader in Green Finance
Abstract
To offset environmental and social challenges, China has created a well-ordered green finance system to enhance green investment returns, reduce returns on polluting investments and increase investors’ and consumers’ preferences for green assets. This has allowed China to mitigate the harmful consequences of unchecked industrialization and to develop a more sustainable growth model, making it stronger and more competitive in the global economy overall.
Eleni E. Papapanou
10. Modern Chinese Companies
Abstract
China has become a leader on technology, developing some of the world’s most successful companies in this critical global sector. These companies increasingly dominate the modern global economy and society. Perhaps the most important companies in this category are Huawei, Tencent and Alibaba, evidence of China’s ability to compete globally.
Annie Phan, Cary Krosinsky
11. Dynamics Emerge on ESG and Sustainable Investment in China
Abstract
With environmental and social concerns becoming increasingly important for investor decision-making, the future of sustainable investing in China holds great potential. Impact investing also continues to emerge, often focused on improving the quality of people’s lives, poverty alleviation and other means of providing the average Chinese citizen with access to financial services, healthcare, healthier food, education and housing.
Justin Kew, Cary Krosinsky
12. The US China Green Fund
Abstract
The US China Green Fund is a market-driven private equity firm focused on environmental and social challenges across China through innovative US-China cross-border mechanisms. The fund is an example of an actively facilitated partnership between the two countries attempting to bring them together to develop and further encourage environmental and social opportunities.
Annie Phan
13. Case Study: ChinaAMC
Abstract
ChinaAMC has emerged as a leading domestic Chinese fund manager focused on sustainable investing practices. ChinaAMC has integrated ESG strategies from Europe into its investment process, including Western-style shareholder engagement with Chinese companies. ChinaAMC believes its focus on ESG issues can promote sustainable growth for Chinese companies and thereby generate alpha for investors.
Cary Krosinsky
14. Case Study: Ehong Capital and Measuring Impact in China
Abstract
Ehong Capital is a Chinese impact private equity and venture capital fund, arguably the first in the country whose primary mission remains fostering the creation of a direct positive social impact. Its founding partners began their journey with Project HOPE, which developed public services aimed to bring more schools to lower socioeconomic communities in rural areas of China. Project HOPE has been considered one of the more successful non-governmental, public welfare projects in China.
Kara Huang, Cary Krosinsky
15. Case Study: East Capital
Abstract
East Capital was established as an independent, specialty asset manager in Stockholm, Sweden. East Capital has continuously integrated ESG analysis into their investment process as it believes that not only is a company’s ESG standing central to a company’s quality, but it is also key for a company’s profitability and operational efficiency.
Kara Huang
16. Additional Considerations Including China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Abstract
China’s investment initiatives include relations with many countries, especially through the Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road (B&R) could be a mechanism for sustainability and positive change, but it could also prove problematic and easily become a debt trap. Similarly, inherent urban and infrastructure that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) brings to developing nations could potentially increase carbon emissions, making the emissions targets in the Paris Agreement impossible to reach.
Cary Krosinsky
17. China’s Integrated Policy, Market and Technology Offering for Sustainability
Abstract
China is now at the edge of addressing climate change and sustainable infrastructure with an integration of strategic feasibility studies, green finance, P3 and technology. Putting investments in these solutions to work has been China’s optimal strategy. Likewise, harnessing the private sector, connecting nations with its Belt Road Initiative (BRI) and fusing sustainable innovations with finance and technology can further accelerate sustainable development.
Sebastian Sheng
18. China’s Investment in the Rest of the World
Abstract
China has become the third biggest source of foreign direct investment in the world. Through its Belt and Road Initiative, it has catalyzed major infrastructure projects in Africa, Europe and Asia. Furthermore, China has agreements in place and contracts to invest in many Latin American nations. As a result, Chinese foreign direct investment is helping shape the global economy. As China began to implement its “Go Out” policy, which encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in foreign nations, a set of environmental and social guidelines appeared to ensure a more ethical and sustainable way of investing. However, political and cultural limitation remains an important challenge.
Jimena Terrazas Lozano
19. China as a Leader on Green Bonds
Abstract
China has become a leader in green finance policy and infrastructure investing, but it is also one of the main issuers worldwide of green bonds, accounting for 39% of global issuance. Chinese green bonds will continue to play a key role in promoting green investment and sustainable development worldwide.
Nimish Garg, Cary Krosinsky
20. Key Recommendations
Abstract
As investors navigate risks and opportunities in China’s economy, it is important to consider certain factors, such as reducing or eliminating the use of coal, promoting technological development, considering the sustainable development goals and encouraging transparency and disclosure. This section provides a specific ten-step investment framework to navigate sustainable investment in China.
The concept of ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) is often too complex to implement in the investing decision-making process. For this reason, it is essential to consider the sustainable development goals to figure out what outcomes we seek, pinpoint specific strategies, determine what data we need, understand industry-specific policy frameworks and consider the government’s political structure and stability when analyzing Chinese companies or what we call ESG+.
As the world continues to evolve, the concepts of first world/second world/third world or developed/developing/frontier nations have become obsolete. A sliding scale of “mature,” “evolving” and “challenged” allows us to better understand nations and where they stand economically, relatively and as far as their own maturity is concerned.
Cary Krosinsky
21. Conclusion
Abstract
By now, anyone who did or is doing business with or in China will tell you how important it is to have the right Guanxi (pronounced “gwan-shee”). The famous Chinese saying sums this up nicely: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
Huang Zhong, Cary Krosinsky
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Modern China
Author
Prof. Cary Krosinsky
Copyright Year
2020
Electronic ISBN
978-3-030-39204-8
Print ISBN
978-3-030-39203-1
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39204-8