Global Companies Under Scrutiny for Alleged Forced Labour Connections

Amid increasing concerns about ethical business practices, Ralph Lauren’s Canada unit is facing an investigation by Canada’s corporate ethics watchdog. The inquiry stems from allegations that the fashion retailer’s supply chain in China involves or benefits from Uyghur forced labour. This move follows complaints lodged by a coalition of civil society organizations, prompting the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) to take action. The investigation mirrors similar probes into Nike Canada and Dynasty Gold, signifying a global push for greater transparency and accountability in supply chains. As the corporate world navigates these allegations, it underscores the broader challenge of upholding human rights across borders and industries.
Dutch, Japanese curbs on chip equipment to China may not be tough enough -industry group

A chip industry group is warning that if U.S. allies do not adopt curbs on semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China that are comparable to U.S. controls, they will not be effective.
Ant-linked firms’ shares rise after news of Jack Ma ceding control; Alibaba jumps

Shares of listed Chinese companies that count Ant Group as a major shareholder rose on Monday after announcements that Ant founder Jack Ma is giving up control of the fintech giant following an overhaul.
U.S. lawmakers include ban on TikTok on government devices in spending proposal

U.S. lawmakers early Tuesday included a proposal to bar federal government employees from using Chinese app TikTok on government-owned devices in a key spending bill.
Exclusive: Morgan Stanley to slash 2022 banker bonuses in Asia by up to half

Morgan Stanley plans to slash investment bankers’ annual bonuses by as much as 50% in Asia, said two people with direct knowledge of the matter, as the Wall Street firm reins in costs to tackle tough market conditions that have hit its revenue.
U.S. SEC warns against switching auditors to avoid Chinese company trading bans

U.S. accounting firms that agree to lead audits of New York-listed Chinese and Hong Kong companies looking to avoid potential trading bans risk breaching U.S. rules, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned on Tuesday.
EXCLUSIVE Hollysys management to lead take-private deal at $1.8 bln valuation -sources

A consortium led by China’s Hollysys Automation Technologies management plans to take the U.S.-listed automation and control system maker private in a deal that would value the firm at $1.8 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said.
Analysis: U.S., China audit agreement not yet a done deal, lawyers warn

There was much relief for investors in U.S.-listed Chinese firms after Beijing and Washington struck a long-pending audit deal, but legal experts and China watchers warn the two sides could still clash over how the accord is interpreted and implemented.
Explainer: What to watch out for as talks on U.S.-China audit deal drag on

The list of Chinese companies facing delisting risks in New York in a long-running dispute over Chinese audits of their accounts continues to expand with the addition of three more on Friday after e-commerce giant Alibaba’s (9988.HK) July inclusion.