Asia’s chains that bind   
   

Asian manufacturers have always migrated in search of cheaper labour. Until recently, China seemed their ultimate destination, claiming an ever larger share of investment by Asia’s huge production network. But three developments in China – rising wage inflation, the coming of a new five-year plan that will seek to shift dramatically the Chinese economy’s focus from exports to domestic consumption, and a cut-off in the supply of rare earths to Japanese companies – may auger significant changes in how these networks invest and function in the years ahead. (The Brunei Times)

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