Dear Global Business Enthusiast, This week: why HK matters in trade, new cross border policies, a cat evicted in HK, leftover women, and more! Trade show season is in full effect. Seriously can feel when its here in Hong Kong and the South of China. Things are just so much busier – and the obvious “trade show bags” of middle aged Western men with Global sources Canvas bags and a Chinese assistant walking next to them around the city. Oh the memories of myfirst trade show back in 2007. Quick news – Stripe is in Private Beta in Hong Kong! Like, finally…! Hong Kong Maker news: So why do people use Hong Kong for trading anyway? Good article and like their opening sentence: Here is a teaser for you. Why should people in China want to export goods abroad by first shipping them to Hong Kong and then shipping them on unchanged as re-exports to their final destination? Why not go direct? Via Chris Moore US is saying the Chinese Great Firewall is also a trade barrier – ummm, ya! “Outright blocking of websites appears to have worsened over the past year, with eight of the top 25 most-trafficked global sites now blocked in China,” the USTR says in its National Trade Estimate. Via Andre Martin This one is in good timing right before our Cross Border Summit! China’s cross-border e-tailers scramble to implement new trade rules Andre Martin Rent pressures closing down some business icons: The Rent In Hong Kong Is Too High, Even for the City’s Most Famous ‘Working’ Cat
And this, to wrap things up – “leftover women” of China. I showed my wife the video, and she said why is this any different from women in other parts of the world? Why is this special to Chinese women? Via Chris Moore | 
