China Inc by BBW

Hosted by Bamboo Works

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100

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Jun 2026

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About the show

China Inc by Bamboo Works discusses the latest developments on Chinese companies listed in Hong Kong and the United States to drive informed decision-making for investors and others interested in this dynamic group of companies.

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60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 16518 min

Shifting identities: Shein's acquisition and Canadian Solar's return to North America

Can you buy your way out of a questionable reputation? Can you build a new identity to dodge geopolitical tariffs? This week, Doug and Rene unpack the fascinating cross-border strategies of two global giants. Shein & Everlane: We break down Shein's estimated $100 million purchase of US sustainability darling Everlane. We look at what this means for Everlane’s mission-driven employees and whether it moves the needle for Shein’s perpetually delayed IPO. Canadian Solar: We examine the company's ambitious plan to shift high-tech cell production to North America. Will the US market accept them as a non-Chinese alternative, and will Beijing allow its cutting-edge solar automation to leave the country? Tune in for a deep dive into global trade, ESG hurdles, and supply chain realities. -- China Inc. by Bamboo Works discusses the latest business and financial news from China and what it all means. This episode is hosted by Doug Young, Bamboo Works editor in chief, and he's joined by Rene Vanguestaine, one of Bamboo Works' founding partners who is also a longtime China watcher and former investment banker.

June 3, 2026Episode 16417 min

Why regulating capital and serving burgers are both getting tougher in China

This week, Doug and Rene tackle two major stories shaping the Chinese business landscape:• The Fintech Squeeze: Why did regulators wait three years to officially ban Futu and Tiger Brokers from operating in China? We discuss how this move funnels capital back to state-owned brokerages and marks another chapter in Beijing's tightening grip on private financial companies.• Wendy's China Gamble: Decades after McDonald's and KFC, Wendy's is finally entering mainland China. With local brands dominating and consumer appetites shifting, we examine why the U.S. burger chain is making this move now and why we are a bit skeptical of its 1,000-store goal. -- China Inc. by Bamboo Works discusses the latest business and financial news from China and what it all means. This episode is hosted by Doug Young, Bamboo Works editor in chief, and he's joined by Rene Vanguestaine, one of Bamboo Works' founding partners who is also a longtime China watcher and former investment banker.

May 20, 2026Episode 16317 min

The global leap: Chinese biopharma, athletic brands dip toes in global waters

This week, Doug Young and Brad Burgess explore how Chinese companies are aggressively stepping out of their domestic market and onto the global stage. First, we dive into the booming trend of Chinese biopharma startups "out-licensing" their homegrown, cutting-edge drugs to Western pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and Gilead. What's driving this rapid pace of innovation, and will geopolitics get in the way of future acquisitions? Then, we pivot from the lab to the track to look at Chinese sportswear brands like Xtep, Anta, and Li Ning. As these homegrown labels expand into Southeast Asia to challenge giants like Nike and Adidas, we discuss their strategic advantages, the geopolitical hurdles they face, and why a hyper-nationalistic image at home might be their biggest roadblock abroad. -- China Inc. by Bamboo Works discusses the latest business and financial news from China and what it all means. This episode is hosted by Doug Young, Bamboo Works editor in chief, and he's joined by Brad Burgess, who is a reputation management advisor with over two decades of experience protecting and promoting brands and business leaders with a focus on Asia and specialty in China.

May 13, 2026Episode 16216 min

Beneath the radar: How Chinese solar makers and IPO hopefuls are surviving the turbulent U.S. market

In this episode, Doug Young and Brad Burgess unpack two major developments shaping the future of Chinese business in the United States. First, Trump administration's quiet new policies aimed at cutting off subsidies for China-linked solar panels manufactured in the US. With new guidance capping Chinese ownership at 25%, Doug and Brad analyze why industry giants like Jinko are drastically reducing their US stakes to fly under the political radar, and what this means for the global green energy supply chain. Then, shifting gears to Wall Street to examine a sudden flurry of formal IPO withdrawals by smaller Chinese companies. Are regulators in both Washington and Beijing working to wipe out low-quality "meme stocks" to protect their market reputations? And with Hong Kong emerging as a strong alternative, what will it take for top-tier Chinese companies to return to the US exchanges? -- China Inc. by Bamboo Works discusses the latest business and financial news from China and what it all means. This episode is hosted by Doug Young, Bamboo Works editor in chief, and he's joined by Brad Burgess, who is a reputation management advisor with over two decades of experience protecting and promoting brands and business leaders with a focus on Asia and specialty in China.

May 6, 2026Episode 16118 min

RedNote separates its China business, while Texas Chicken plots a massive China entry

Is China becoming an island for user-generated content? This week we explore the geopolitics of social media as Rednote attempts to shield its global business from its Chinese roots. Then, we head to the drive-thru: Texas Chicken wants to open 600 franchise locations in China. But what does it take to survive in a market dominated by KFC and aggressive homegrown franchisers like Luckin Coffee? -- China Inc. by Bamboo Works discusses the latest business and financial news from China and what it all means. This episode is hosted by Doug Young, Bamboo Works editor in chief, and he's joined by Rene Vanguestaine, one of Bamboo Works' founding partners who is also a longtime China watcher and former investment banker.

April 29, 2026Episode 16015 min

How China’s trade surplus is floating Hong Kong equities, even as Western bulls retreat

Doug and Rene unpack a surprising analysis from Caixin revealing where a massive chunk of China’s $1.2 trillion trade surplus is really ending up — the Hong Kong stock market. They discuss how this influx of cash is helping the market absorb large IPOs, and whether Beijing will eventually step in to reverse the trend. In the second half of the show, they reflect on the recent passing of celebrity emerging-markets investor Mark Mobius at age 89. Looking back at the golden era of China investing, they discuss why a new generation of "China bulls" isn't stepping up to replace the old guard, why heavy-hitters like Stanley Druckenmiller have abandoned the market, and how government-driven uncertainty continues to scare away Western capital. -- China Inc. by Bamboo Works discusses the latest business and financial news from China and what it all means. This episode is hosted by Doug Young, Bamboo Works editor in chief, and he's joined by Rene Vanguestaine, one of Bamboo Works' founding partners who is also a longtime China watcher and former investment banker.

April 22, 2026Episode 15917 min

China's NEV slowdown, and a dating app rejects AI

China's new energy vehicle sales plunged 24% in the first quarter. Is this the start of a new trend of sales contraction? And online matchmaker Milian has filed for a Hong Kong IPO. What's the story behind its unusual approach that uses real-life facilitators to act as go-betweens for online daters? -- China Inc. by Bamboo Works discusses the latest business and financial news from China and what it all means. This episode is hosted by Doug Young, Bamboo Works editor in chief, and he's joined by Rene Vanguestaine, one of Bamboo Works' founding partners who is also a longtime China watcher and former investment banker.

April 15, 2026Episode 15815 min

China's changing consumer economy: A fintech lending crackdown and a toothpaste IPO

China caps private lender interest rates at 24%. What's behind this latest regulatory crackdown? And an up-and-coming toothpaste maker has filed for a Hong Kong IPO. What's behind the rapid rise of its Canban brand, and what does this say about Chinese consumer brands in general? -- China Inc. by Bamboo Works discusses the latest business and financial news from China and what it all means. This episode is hosted by Doug Young, Bamboo Works editor in chief, and he's joined by Rene Vanguestaine, one of Bamboo Works' founding partners who is also a longtime China watcher and former investment banker.

April 1, 2026Episode 15718 min

Involution in China consumer market sparks new ‘Races to the bottom’

"This seems like involution taken to a new level, as it's one of the first cases we've seen of a company taking a major step that's almost certain to undermine itself." – Doug Young Toymaker Bloks is racing to the bottom of the Chinese toy barrel with its blind box Transformer toys costing just 10 yuan each. Can it make a profit on such low-priced toys? And KFC has rolled out a new line of pizzas in China also priced quite low, as little as 23 yuan. Does it risk cannibalizing business from sister brand Pizza Hut?

March 25, 2026Episode 15615 min

Beijing and Washington squeeze fading market for Chinese IPOs in U.S.

China's securities regulator is clamping down on offshore corporate registrations and VIE structures by Chinese companies listing in the U.S. and Hong Kong. What does this mean for the companies and their investors? And U.S. politicians are clamping down on "pump-and-dump" Chinese IPOs on Wall Street by going after their boutique investment banks. Will this solve the problem?