在Hyatt参加了2天的2009 IScrap World Congress会议，很有感触。 

尽管Scrap和我们的业务联系不多，最多也就和Raw material沾点边，而我们所用的Residue和slag等仅占Scrap很小的份额，而Scrap主要应有领域EAF炼钢和Secondary Alloys也非我们的产品，然而Metal Industry是相通的，加上之前境外的国际性会议在谈到Ferro-alloy的时候都会有1－2个和Scrap相关的Speech，所以还是凭着一些皮毛常识心怀忐忑的去参加会议了。

尽管金茂的厨师手艺并不好，甜品做得也差强人意，但是整整2天16个小时的会议过程还是有许多有趣的地方和大家分享：

²  碰到些国内的专家，都是上年纪的，技术经验很丰富，生产实践也很强，但是市场意识有些薄弱，国际意识几乎为0，技术保密意识也几乎为0，秉承中国人一贯的谦虚低调。而国外专家，无论EU/US，技术很强，国际化视角看问题，最关键的是agressive attitude，无时无刻不想尽一切办法多了解一些中国行业的现状，而这些可能是中国的商务人员永远不会直接告知的，但是他却可以轻易的从技术人员那了解到第一手更为确切的信息，很聪明！ 

²  同样都是机械设备，德国人低调的称我们已经发展了100多年，而美国人高调的宣扬上海目前有多少该设备是我们卖的，美国现在有多少市场份额是我们的设备。 

²  同样都是销售Scrap到Emerging Economy,EU人很谨慎的在台下仔细观察中国买家对import Scrap的认同度，然后评估合作的可能性后，再有目的性的联系。而US的卖家在台上大声疾呼巨大的商机，邀请大家一起来分享蛋糕。这点上，欧洲的保守谨慎和美国的来者不拒利益至上的不同风格很明显。 

²  中国企业和外国同行相比，差距很明显。到处都可以看到追着给老外名片或是索取名片，努力去推销自己的公司或是表达自己的采购意向的中国人。而外国人往往带着有色的眼光，不屑一顾的听着你喋喋不休却偶尔简单的回应1－2句。请记住，这个世界出钱的人是Patron是God，天生就比收钱的人有一种潜在的优越感，自贬身价不会促进合作的形成，反而会失去尊重。 

²  银行推销的手段是潜移默化无处不在的，全球最好的推销机构就是银行，特别是投资银行，挣钱最多的银行，不是因为他们的工作能力，而是他们的忽悠能力和定位－永远只盯住最有钱的公司或是最挣钱的项目，帮助他们转移所谓风险的同时自己趁机捞进，而在你损失的时候银行手续费同样一分不少。世界是公平的，今天银行可以把A的风险转给B，明天也可以把C的风险转给A，无论结果如何，银行稳赚不赔。市场上容量是一定的，只不过银行充当的是搬运工的角色，在操纵大量资本时从中获益。这也是罗彻斯尔德家族纵横欧洲金融界的精髓。有机会和JP Morgan、Detch Bank等中国高管聊上几句，对他们的印象也不过如此，很多话听得多了，虚伪得可怕，还不如某些技术专家让人产生敬仰之情。 

²  充分发挥不耻下问的精神，积极参与Q&A环节，惊异的发现自己的英语居然自如的带着不同的语调，这是一大进步。而积极参与的结果就是许多人自动找上门。国外的与会者看你的眼神立马不一样，态度也随之而变，还会自动要求交换名片，听说我们并不是目标客户时依然很有兴趣聊聊市场信息之类的。中国的与会者也立马主动联系，一部分是受到外国老板的指使，一部分是因为问题的内容，还有一部分可能是商机驱使，然而无论属于哪部分，都无法进一步深入行业讨论，这就是差距。 

总之，行业的专业程度会直接影响到他人的看法和尊重，不断发展的社会需要持续不断的学习。

Twibble用了2周，API地址失效，然后一直处于No Twitter状态。现在好了，Ubertwitter装好，又开始用Twitter阿，突然发现生活真美好！

F1阿布扎比收官战，红牛1对领跑，小汉又是离奇退赛，KIMI也没能那积分。Vettel称真希望不要这么快结束，我想说还是快点结束吧，没有法拉利没有雷诺，没有迈凯轮的F1，也就没啥看点了, BGP和红牛，还有待观察。

严重BS一下上海的交通，周一早上赶到Hyatt，1号线等了3辆车，2号线等了4辆车才上去，人民广场的人山人海阿，长这么大还没看过人口密度这么高的时刻！

一周之内两位好友告知结婚，天啊！

从来没有想过，人与人之间原来是需要些距离感的，哪怕是最好的朋友之间，也是如此。人与人之间需要保持一种安全距离，越界了双方都会尴尬。

大学一同学被Transfer到Perth工作，很山清水秀的一个度假胜地，空气好人好，很不错的一个机会阿。就是小姑娘一个人出门在外要万事小心，不常出远门的一出就出这么远，索性也就和中国仅2－4个小时时差，通讯还是很方便的。

有时候会YY如果自己离开中国很长一段时间会如何？如果自己需要在陌生的环境去独自面对生活的一切又会如何？当然父母会担心，朋友们会关心，然而人都是要长大的，无论何时，这一天早晚都会到来的，我们无法预知未来，却可以提前准备那个未知。至少现在的我，相比于几年前刚刚走出校门，还是有些底气能应付的，即使内心慌慌，也会故作镇定，已经渐渐学会去接受突然降临的变化，不会退缩，而是前进。

在北京读书的表妹放暑假回上海，日前和我聊起去年她在美国时的一段感情，中间有一句话我听后一直思考至今。表妹很好强，从小就立志做一个影响世界的女性，然而谈及那段感情, 却蹦出“当时很开心，那种开心是之前所取得的一切成就都无法比拟的” 。在那一个瞬间，通过电话端，我是真的感受到她真心流露出的那种快乐。

 

许多朋友都对这句话嗤之以鼻，多数认为过于夸张和做作，甚至在人的潜意识里面认为这样的感情不会长久。然而我却选择相信，我没有经历过如此强烈的爱情，可我认为纯粹的朴素的爱情的原形就应该是这样。持续时间的长久这个是因人而异的，通常终身难忘的往往是最美的瞬间。

 

和众多恋爱中的乃至已婚的朋友们聊起这点，多数都评价其为理想中的爱情。正因为是理想状态，所以才令人期待和向往。当人们渐渐被人生百态磨平棱角的时候，当人们慢慢学会面对现实的时候，希望还能记得起那份小小的感动，那是你内心深处最纯粹最质朴的角落。

进入七月以来，日子一直很忙，即使休年假在家也没有停歇。几乎被各种各样的Essay、Paper、Report、Summary给淹没。一天24小时有近15个小时是对着电脑的，家里那台曾经让我百看不厌的白色本本在如此密切的接触中也让我产生了审美疲劳，有些时候，还是距离产生美阿。 

一直觊觎的Iphone 3G S终于登入HK，非套餐无锁最低价高达RMB￥4800，但这个价位已经比早前的US版本和EU版本低很多了。其实心理还是有点纠结，不就是个发发短信打打电话的手机嘛，还是Made in China深圳工厂，冠上Apple的品牌价值，再加上用户体验导向，价格居然高举不下，乔布斯所谓的USD$199策略实在太高明了，大家在暗自窃喜蠢蠢欲动时，却被所谓的限制条件当头棒喝，既挣到名声又不忘利润，还真是一举两得。不过反过来试想，如果iphone真的无任何附加条件的裸机价卖USD$199,那恐怕其大概要吞并目前手机市场至少50％的份额吧，打破行业规则的Apple估计也会遭到手机业巨头的群起围攻吧，而亚太盛汇下山寨版的Iphone也会失去容身之处吧。综上所述，维持现状就好了，反正消费者永远都是被生产商、分销商玩弄于手掌之上的层层盘剥，偶尔大发慈悲的打折促销，消费者感激涕零的争相购入，却不知商家转身后数钱数到手抽筋而暗自窃喜。好吧，处于被动的消费者早已逐步习惯于如此的角色，从而造就了商业社会一个又一个的泡沫。我一直不是赶新潮的人，所以我会选择继续观望，指望哪天头脑一热，也就称心如意了。 

日前震惊行业的大事莫过于Rin Tinto的间谍门事件。商业机密一向是所有公司最忌讳的，而当公司的商业机密上升到国家安全层次，就变成国与国之间的忌讳了。这件事从表面看无非就是一个北大生和一个清华生的钱权交易曝光，不过考虑到北大生代表着手握中国稀缺资源的外国垄断巨头，而清华生代表着中国国家资源的采购高管，事情就渐渐变得复杂了。其实这些所谓的忌讳在西方社会都是大家心照不宣的禁忌，受到非常严格的法律条文的规定和限制，即使如此，受到巨大利益的诱惑依然有人挑战高压线，只不过手段之隐蔽和高明是外界无法想象的。而此次事件却成了国外谴责中国的导火索，外国媒体丰富的联想程度不但牵出了正在进行中的铁矿石谈判，而且还联系到之前Chinalco 和Rio Tinto的收购案。借着此次由头，大家正好可以领略一番中外媒体的新闻追踪能力，至于孰是孰非，则是仁者见仁、智者见智了。

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

中文报道参考凤凰网专题 http://finance.ifeng.com/topic/news/lituo/index.shtml

外电参考如下 Metal Bulletin News

From Deadlock To Lockdown

Banged up：As four Rio executives are arrested in China, new concerns about doing business there emerge

Jailhouse shock: are arrests linked to Rio’s decision to pull out of Chinalco deal?                      

LONDON，BY MB STAFF

The arrest of four Rio Tinto executives in China accused of spying and stealing state secrets has understandably caused many to question the basis for conducting business in China, (see page 18).

Whether, as has been suggested in some quarters, the Chinese government’s action last week was at least partially motivated by Rio’s decision to pull out of its deal with state-owned aluminum producer Chinalco, is moot.

But undoubtedly the action further undermines the viability of benchmark mating talks for iron ore pricing, and this may well prove to be the final nail in the coffin. Following the passing of the June 30 negotiation deadline, many had predicted a rush by Chinese mills to the spot market. Although there was no immediate clamour for material, by the end of last week spot supply was beginning to tighten and prices had jumped $4-5 per tonne.

The China Iron & Steel Assn (Cisa) is struggling to achieve an iron ore benchmark settlement with suppliers such as Rio Tinto, and in recent weeks has intensified its crackdown on what it views as speculative, illegal, activities. There were murmurings in the spot iron ore market a few weeks ago that Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton had stopped conducting auctions because of Cisa investigations. Neither company has clarified why it ended the auctions.

Two weeks ago, the Rizhao International Iron Ore Trading Centre in Shandong province, the first such trading centre in China, was shut down, after Cisa objected to its attempts to set up an iron ore price index (MB Jun 26). A report published early last week by China Business News suggested that the country’s leading steelmakers had accepted a 33% cut on this year’s iron ore fines prices.

Japanese and South Korean mills have accepted a reduction of 33%. But Hebei Steel vp Tian Zhiping told MB that no agreement had been reached between the two parties, and Cisa and Rio have made no public comment. Cisa is understood to be furious that certain mills continue to talk to foreign suppliers and undermine its tough line on price reductions for 2009. Iron ore suppliers had long become used to prolonged benchmark negotiations. But those talks – however hard fought – were largely conducted at a corporate level, where all parties understood the rules of engagement. Since China adopted the role of lead buying negotiator a few years ago, the rules have become less clear. The current situation with Rio highlights the fact that when dealing with corporate China, one is also dealing with the Chinese state, and consequently business rules can be changed.

The three major iron ore producers have, meanwhile, all settled 2009 benchmarks in regions other than China. No new Australian spot material has been offered into China since mid-June, and Indian buyers are now edging back from the market, partially because of port congestion but also because they sense the chance to ramp up prices while relations between China and one of its major spot suppliers is so damaged.

Hu’s Arrest Sends Warning To Suppliers To Take Care When Doing Business In China

 Accusations: Rio Tinto executive detained amid allegations of spying and stealing state secrets.

‘This is about the iron ore market, it’s about China’s ability to control the market, and it’s about reining in the miners and warning them that they do business on China’s terms’ ——Analyst in Hong Kong 

Singapore，by martin Ritchie

The future looks bleak for Stern Hu, the Rio Tinto executive detained by China last week on suspicion of spying and stealing state secrets. In the first public comment on the case by a government official, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry last week said the authorities had already gathered “conclusive evidence” that Hu and three other detainees were “prying and stealing state secrets”.

Hu, Rio Tinto’s China general manager for its iron ore division, and the three others were detained last Sunday and could not be contacted for several days. It was not until Wednesday that Australia’s foreign minister Stephen Smith was able to establish and announce the reasons the for the arrests. He said he was “very surprised at the detentions, and at the reasons for the detentions”. In various state-backed Chinese media last week, it was reported that:

n Hu and the others tried to bribe steel mill officials to hand over information that could be useful in iron ore negotiations: production levels at smaller mills, iron ore stockpiles, profits.

n Rio Tinto gained access to the confidential notes of the Chinese negotiating team in the iron ore talks. (On the other hand, there have been reports that Rio Tinto executives stopped holding meetings in China through fears they were being monitored).

n Hu and his team raised suspicions by travelling around China to visit smaller steel mills, rather than dealing only with the bigger steelworks.

A knowledgable source told MB that Rio had been tipped off about possible investigations months ago, and this was one factor delaying a conclusion to iron ore talks. Those in Australia who have warned about cosying up to China said the arrests confirmed their fears. This was China’s revenge for Rio Tinto pulling out of an agreement to take a $19.5 billion investment from Aluminium Corp of China, they said. Or maybe a desperate attempt by China to influence ongoing iron ore negotiations – effectively, a ransom demand.

It is true that China was outraged at the collapse of the Rio-Chinalco investment. Australian politicians and shareholders had balked at handing influence to a stateowned Chinese company, and when Rio backed out in favour of a joint venture with BHP Billiton, China ended up with the opposite of what it had hoped to gain by investing in Rio. Chinese state media fumed at “betrayal” and “perfidy”. But many iron ore market participants, particularly in China, said it was highly unlikely Beijing would generate a crisis like this through some one-off tantrum about a soured investment or argument about price.

Setting aside whether Hu and the others have actually done anything wrong, they are probably also victims of a wider attempt by the Chinese government and steel industry to clean up the iron ore trade and assert its authority over the sector. The China Iron & Steel Assn (Cisa) has long been unhappy about the growth of the iron ore spot market, because it reduces the ability of industry leaders to set prices. It has warned against “speculators” who make money by hoarding material and pushing up prices. It criticised BHP and Rio when they started selling on the spot market. When an apparently independent “iron ore trading centre” was set up in Rizhao, it was promptly shut down. And in recent weeks, Cisa railed against iron ore auctions which BHP and Rio were using to sell iron ore. Those auctions promptly stopped (although it is not clear why). Cisa’s authority has been undermined recently as some mills have struck their own interim supply contracts despite Cisa’s insistence on a 40-45% cut. Whatever Hu has or has not done, his arrest surely sends a signal to iron ore suppliers and to China’s steel mills to be more careful about how they conduct business.

 Background：

TIMELINE: HU, WHAT, WHEN AND WHY

July 5

Chinese authorities detain Australian citizen Stern Hu, Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s gm of China operations, and three Chinese colleagues, named in reports as Wang Yong, Ge Minqiang and Liu Caikui. Computers were also removed from their Shanghai offices, according to news reports. Rio Tinto alerts Australian officials in Shanghai who immediately makes contact with Chinese authorities, as well as Hu’s wife, also an Australian citizen.

July 6

Senior Australian officials in Canberra speak to the acting Chinese Ambassador and request consular access to Hu as well as reasons for his detention.

July 7

Shougang Group’s iron ore import division gm, Tan Yixin, is reportedly detained as part of Rio Tinto espionage investigations.

July 8

Australian authorities and Rio Tinto profess surprise when told Hu was being detained for alleged espionage and theft of state secrets. Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith assures Rio Tinto of its best efforts to resolve matter.

July 9

Chinese foreign ministry says it has “conclusive evidence” that Hu and his colleagues were stealing Chinese state secrets.

July 10

Chinese press report that a Baosteel official may have been summoned to assist with widening investigations.

最近两周都有几天工作日在家休假，倒没有费心安排出行，在如今强对流交错的季节，加上飞机火车的小概率事件频繁，不折腾就是最好的休假。安安静静的呆在家里，过着犹如暑假一般的生活，放松身心。

前段时间有位朋友打电话给我告知跨入有车一族了，一周之后国家上调油价，倒是给他一个不小的庆祝。油价的问题已经是老生常谈，但这仅仅是冰山一角，在国家行政主权至上的国度，没有什么是不可能的，至于民生问题，恐怕只是增加政绩的象征性筹码吧。

上海的股市又上3000点，对大多数炒股一族而言是个好消息，解套触手可及。然而在积极光明的数字背后，有多少是真正经济的增长呢？泡沫越多，真相越易掩盖，泡沫越大，欲望越易膨胀。从众和侥幸心理的博弈中，有多少人能淡然处之呢？

有人客观结束了磨人的纠结，有人陷入了甜蜜的热恋，有人暂时离开了朝九晚五的模式，有人依然热衷于全职兼职两手抓。以上的情形都没有发生在我的身上，那我是应该庆幸自己的置身事外呢还是悲叹自己的无欲无求呢？