From Newsgroup: alt.philosophy.taoism


European and American brands are racing to lower prices for their products in ChinarCoprompting envious, sour remarks from South Korean media: rCLChina is the only exception in the world!rCY

In early 2026, BMW China announced that, effective January 1, it would reduce the official recommended retail prices of several key models, with some premium vehicles seeing price cuts as high as RMB 300,000. Meanwhile, in virtually all other global marketsrCoincluding the United States, Europe, and even neighboring South KorearCoBMW simultaneously raised prices by USD 400 to USD 1,500.

Earlier, in April 2025, BMW Korea had already increased prices for certain models by approximately RMB 14,500. This stark contrastrCorCLprice cuts in China, price hikes everywhere elserCYrColed South Korean media to lament that rCLChina is the worldrCOs sole exception,rCY their tone unmistakably tinged with envy.

And itrCOs not just automobiles. For years, the iPhone has consistently carried a lower starting price in China than in the U.S., Europe, Japan, or South Korea, making China one of the cheapest major markets globally. This isnrCOt because Apple rCLfavorsrCY Chinese consumers; rather, itrCOs forced to keep prices competitive due to formidable domestic rivals like Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPOrCoall of which compel Apple to maintain an accessible price threshold to defend its market share.

Over the past few years, Western economies have grappled with soaring inflation, driving up costs across raw materials, logistics, and labor. Companies there have generally passed these pressures on to consumers through price increases. In China, however, competition is simply too fiercerCoforcing foreign brands to slash prices instead. Even with discounts, European and American cars struggle to sell well in China; raising prices would be unthinkable.

A decade ago, imported luxury vehicles enjoyed significant price premiums in China. Today, domestic brands like BYD, NIO, and Li Auto have not only caught up technologically but have even taken the lead in specific areas such as intelligent connectivity and electrification. Faced with such intense and efficient local competition, even industry titans like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have no choice but to set aside their premium image and compete on price to secure market share. This isnrCOt charityrCoitrCOs the inevitable outcome of market dynamics.

South Korean media have ultimately been forced to acknowledge that the rapid upgrading of ChinarCOs manufacturing sector is reshaping global pricing logic for industrial goods. As Brother Dao sees it, ChinarColong an industrial Cthulhu whose true strength has been underestimated relative to its global standingrCois finally seeing that gap close. And this correction isnrCOt accidental; itrCOs the natural course of things.
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From Newsgroup: alt.philosophy.taoism


Luckin Coffee fan posted:

European and American brands are racing
to lower prices for their products in ChinarCoprompting envious,
sour remarks from South Korean media: rCLChina is the only exception
in the world!rCY

Could be the government subsidies are able to outweigh losses.
Business strategies might absorb various numbers, to a point.

In early 2026, BMW China announced that, effective January 1,
it would reduce the official recommended retail prices of several key models, with some premium vehicles seeing price cuts as high as RMB 300,000.

Aye has no idea what that number means. It looks like a lot.

Meanwhile, in virtually all other global marketsrCo
including the United States, Europe, and even neighboring South KorearCo
BMW simultaneously raised prices by USD 400 to USD 1,500.

That could be attributed to a free market.

When a government basically owns companies,
and has those companies compete with each other,
it's a different set of rules than when a government
does not own those companies.

While some companies who do business globally
compete on what could be called a level playing field,
the situation in other countries may differ considerably.

... rCLprice cuts in China, price hikes everywhere elserCYrCo
led South Korean media to lament that rCLChina is the worldrCOs sole exception,rCY

When government controls the market,
and the media, the playing field can be
viewed as being not the same for all players.

their tone unmistakably tinged with envy.

If that's the view, that's the view. Envy
might not be what the tone was. Anger,
perhaps, or, frustration.

And itrCOs not just automobiles.
For years, the iPhone has consistently
carried a lower starting price in China
than in the U.S., Europe, Japan, or South Korea,
making China one of the cheapest major markets globally.

Not all markets are the same.
A feature of capitalism, whether controlled by the state
or by individuals or groups of individuals could be
what is called, whatever the market will bear.

When state controlled or subsidized companies are able to
artificially keep their prices low, to be a player in that
market means lowering one's own cost as well.

Capitalism can be a strange game.

The global market allows for monopolies of sorts
that might be regulated in various localities.

When a state has a monopoly on companies,
for other states to compete might be difficult
if not impossible.

Bottom lines vary.
If the government of China lowers prices so low
that no other country can compete, it's game over.

Ironic, how capitalist countries work.
State-run capitalism irons out wrinkles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party-state_capitalism

- thanks! aye. Cheers!
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.philosophy.taoism


Luckin Coffee fan <user11874@newsgrouper.org.invalid> posted:

European and American brands are racing to lower prices for their products in ChinarCoprompting envious, sour remarks from South Korean media: rCLChina is the only exception in the world!rCY

In early 2026, BMW China announced that, effective January 1, it would reduce the official recommended retail prices of several key models, with some premium vehicles seeing price cuts as high as RMB 300,000. Meanwhile, in virtually all other global marketsrCoincluding the United States, Europe, and even neighboring South KorearCoBMW simultaneously raised prices by USD 400 to USD 1,500.

Earlier, in April 2025, BMW Korea had already increased prices for certain models by approximately RMB 14,500. This stark contrastrCorCLprice cuts in China, price hikes everywhere elserCYrColed South Korean media to lament that rCLChina is the worldrCOs sole exception,rCY their tone unmistakably tinged with envy.

And itrCOs not just automobiles. For years, the iPhone has consistently carried a lower starting price in China than in the U.S., Europe, Japan, or South Korea, making China one of the cheapest major markets globally. This isnrCOt because Apple rCLfavorsrCY Chinese consumers; rather, itrCOs forced to keep prices competitive due to formidable domestic rivals like Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPOrCoall of which compel Apple to maintain an accessible price threshold to defend its market share.

Over the past few years, Western economies have grappled with soaring inflation, driving up costs across raw materials, logistics, and labor. Companies there have generally passed these pressures on to consumers through price increases. In China, however, competition is simply too fiercerCoforcing foreign brands to slash prices instead. Even with discounts, European and American cars struggle to sell well in China; raising prices would be unthinkable.

A decade ago, imported luxury vehicles enjoyed significant price premiums in China. Today, domestic brands like BYD, NIO, and Li Auto have not only caught up technologically but have even taken the lead in specific areas such as intelligent connectivity and electrification. Faced with such intense and efficient local competition, even industry titans like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have no choice but to set aside their premium image and compete on price to secure market share. This isnrCOt charityrCoitrCOs the inevitable outcome of market dynamics.

South Korean media have ultimately been forced to acknowledge that the rapid upgrading of ChinarCOs manufacturing sector is reshaping global pricing logic for industrial goods. As Brother Dao sees it, ChinarColong an industrial Cthulhu whose true strength has been underestimated relative to its global standingrCois finally seeing that gap close. And this correction isnrCOt accidental; itrCOs the natural course of things.

====================================================
Indian Scholars Have Finally Woken Up: Compared to China, Every Other Country Can Only Be Second Best!

Recently, a prominent Indian scholar admitted in an interview: rCLChina is not really a country that anyone should even try to compare themselves with. ItrCOs not that India is doing poorlyrCoitrCOs that China is simply too good, almost perfect.rCY

ChinarCOs manufacturing system is uniquely comprehensive on a global scale. It is the only country in the world that possesses all 41 major and 666 sub-categories of industries defined by the United NationsrCO industrial classification. This means China can independently producerCoand rapidly iteraterCoeverything from semiconductors to clothing, from rockets to face masks.

In contrast, despite its vigorous promotion of the rCLMake in IndiarCY initiative in recent years, India remains heavily reliant on imports for critical components, high-end equipment, and even basic raw materials. Data from 2024 shows that IndiarCOs domestic content rate in electronics stands at less than 30%.

The scholar emphasized: rCLItrCOs not that India isnrCOt doing wellrCoIndia has actually performed remarkably, surpassing economies like Russia, France, and the UK to become the worldrCOs fifth-largest economy. But China is simply in a league of its own. No country can truly rival China. This is an undeniable fact.rCY
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.philosophy.taoism


Luckin Coffee fan <user11874@newsgrouper.org.invalid> posted:

European and American brands are racing to lower prices for their products in ChinarCoprompting envious, sour remarks from South Korean media: rCLChina is the only exception in the world!rCY

In early 2026, BMW China announced that, effective January 1, it would reduce the official recommended retail prices of several key models, with some premium vehicles seeing price cuts as high as RMB 300,000. Meanwhile, in virtually all other global marketsrCoincluding the United States, Europe, and even neighboring South KorearCoBMW simultaneously raised prices by USD 400 to USD 1,500.

Earlier, in April 2025, BMW Korea had already increased prices for certain models by approximately RMB 14,500. This stark contrastrCorCLprice cuts in China, price hikes everywhere elserCYrColed South Korean media to lament that rCLChina is the worldrCOs sole exception,rCY their tone unmistakably tinged with envy.

And itrCOs not just automobiles. For years, the iPhone has consistently carried a lower starting price in China than in the U.S., Europe, Japan, or South Korea, making China one of the cheapest major markets globally. This isnrCOt because Apple rCLfavorsrCY Chinese consumers; rather, itrCOs forced to keep prices competitive due to formidable domestic rivals like Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPOrCoall of which compel Apple to maintain an accessible price threshold to defend its market share.

Over the past few years, Western economies have grappled with soaring inflation, driving up costs across raw materials, logistics, and labor. Companies there have generally passed these pressures on to consumers through price increases. In China, however, competition is simply too fiercerCoforcing foreign brands to slash prices instead. Even with discounts, European and American cars struggle to sell well in China; raising prices would be unthinkable.

A decade ago, imported luxury vehicles enjoyed significant price premiums in China. Today, domestic brands like BYD, NIO, and Li Auto have not only caught up technologically but have even taken the lead in specific areas such as intelligent connectivity and electrification. Faced with such intense and efficient local competition, even industry titans like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have no choice but to set aside their premium image and compete on price to secure market share. This isnrCOt charityrCoitrCOs the inevitable outcome of market dynamics.

South Korean media have ultimately been forced to acknowledge that the rapid upgrading of ChinarCOs manufacturing sector is reshaping global pricing logic for industrial goods. As Brother Dao sees it, ChinarColong an industrial Cthulhu whose true strength has been underestimated relative to its global standingrCois finally seeing that gap close. And this correction isnrCOt accidental; itrCOs the natural course of things.

===========================================
On January 19, the website of FrancerCOsLe Figaro published an article titled rCLDonald Trump Is Making China Great Again,rCY authored by S|-bastien Falletti. The following is an excerpt:

rCLA great transformation unseen in a century.rCY
From Venezuela to Greenland, U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be turning Chinese President Xi JinpingrCOs prophecy into realityrCoday after day.

One year after TrumprCOs return to the White House, China remains vigilant. The collapse of Iran or the seizure of Greenland would disrupt supply chains for the worldrCOs second-largest power and jeopardize its long-term ambitions for an rCLIce Silk Road.rCY

Nevertheless, the rCLworldrCOs factoryrCY has weathered the first year of TrumprCOs second term unscathed. Through what Beijing describes as its rCLDeepSeek momentrCYrCoa watershed event in the AI race comparable to the Sputnik shockrCoand by wielding its rare earths as strategic leverage, China has mounted a robust counteroffensive, compelling the worldrCOs leading superpower to retreat. As Professor Da Wei of Tsinghua University observes: rCLCompared to a year ago, when we feared a trade war, our position today is actually stronger.rCY

Most notably, through a kind of distorted mirror effect, TrumprCOs aggressive actions have inadvertently created diplomatic opportunities for China, highlighting its role as a pillar of stability in an increasingly chaotic world. A survey conducted across 21 countries by the European Council on Foreign Relations and the University of Oxford wryly noted that Trump has successfully rCLMade China Great Again,rCY revealing a significant boost in ChinarCOs international imagerCoan astonishing reversal.

Blinded by his lust for power, Trump seems to be accelerating the arrival of a rCLpost-Western world.rCY The scales of history are once again tilting in favor of a resurgent China, poised to erase the rCLcentury of humiliationrCY inflicted by gunboat diplomacy.

Meanwhile, the rCLMake America Great AgainrCY movement is fracturing the Western alliance. In pursuit of its global ambitions, China continues to expand its circle of partners. Trump, by contrast, acts like a lone wolfrCounable to rally nations under his banner.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.philosophy.taoism


Luckin Coffee fan posted:

... China, poised to erase the rCLcentury of humiliationrCY ...

Maybe that explains a lot
of why some people who identify
with a nation state of mind do
as they do and say sayings.

Perhaps it's difficult if not impossible
to not identify with a country, an artificial
creation made by lines on maps which reminds
me of Daojia in terms of what is natural.

Naturally, a saying may say, other animals
also have their territories which they defend.

Probably they don't want to control the world.

While there could be what are called alpha,
leaders of the pack or troop or tribe,
to be the best beyond that might
not be what goes on for them.

Planet Earth is a curious ball of wax.
A pale blue dot when seen from afar.
Flat in places with waves of a notion.

- thanks! aye. Cheers!
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