Both food giants are shutting down their factories in Shanghai, where land is scarce and costs have risen, but do they also face wider problems in China?
Highlights of commentary pieces from the Dec 12, 2011 issue of the Economic Observer
Online forums provide a glimpse of how young Chinese people view sex in this age of inequality.
As developers shun subsidized housing projects and analysts question 2011's construction statistics, can we really pin growth hopes on the 36 million new homes?
The punishment of Ping An Securities, which mishandled a recent IPO, impressed the market with its severity. In fact, the underwriter was lucky to keep its license.
The head of Hong Kong's monetary authority speaks to the EO about the strength of the offshore RMB market, bond issuance and the city-state's reserves.
Beijing has raised the status of its Municipal Supervision Office, home to the Chengguan, whose name is a byword for thuggery and abuse of power.
Many of those who are supposedly indignant at the prospect of clemency towards Wu Ying are just afraid of coming under scrutiny during her retrial.
A sustained fall in home prices would be disastrous for China's economy and Beijing is unlikely to let a decline last beyond next year.
An interview with the man overseeing state-owned enterprises in Chongqing, the municipality proud of its pioneering approach and 17% growth rate.
