Article Abstract:
Western petroleum companies serving the Chinese market and even local oil firms are losing business opportunities to smugglers. While such major oil firms as Royal Dutch/Shell Group and Exxon Corp. have to struggle with stringent import regulations, smugglers are enjoying brisk business by transporting refined oil through the Pearl River and other waterways along China's coastline. Officials of Western oil companies blame the Chinese government, claiming that the problem stemmed from its efforts to protect its own petroleum industry by restricting the entry of foreign oil.
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Article Abstract:
China has opened its doors to foreign firms but is demanding a transfer of technology as compensation. Thus, Motorola Inc. has been persuaded to construct a computer-chip factory notwithstanding the scarce demand for such in the country. The Chinese government wants the semiconductor firm to repay the big opportunity that came its way through the sales of cellular phones. Western executives are worried about this arrangement as it may make China a competitor technologically in the future.
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Article Abstract:
China's existing drive to address its smuggling problem is inclined to hurt sales of multinational companies' products. Multinationals as diverse as Eastman Kodak Co, International Business Machines Corp, Philip Morris Cos and leading oil firms profit from the illegal duty-free trade in China. The so-called gray market skirts the country's exorbitant duties and 17% value-added tax on most imports.
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