Lending
by lightly regulated financial companies outside of China's formal
banking system has ballooned this year, causing increasing headaches for
the government in its efforts to manage the economy and control
inflation.
Vietnam's
Vinashin is asking its creditors for a freeze on a $60 million loan
repayment due Dec. 20 in a move that could have broad ramifications for
the country's financial standing.
A
scout for a U.S. petroleum research firm is one of the latest
foreigners to fall afoul of Chinese laws that classify as espionage what
many consider normal market research.
