Open season on Chinese business practices

FT front-pager.

One thing for GE to bitch and moan, as Americans as expected to complain about China, but another for Siemens and BASF, two traditional ostriches, to squawk so.  If anything, these guys have been vocal China boosters in the past.

But their unprecedented complaints come "against a backdrop of rising discontent among foreign businesses operating in China."

Especially striking is that the German CEOs said this to Wen Jibbao's face--in Beijing!  Wen countered with bland denials that the investment environment had deteriorated.

Merkel tried to smooth it over afterwards, but I think we're seeing the start of something big.

Being numero uno means being the world's biggest target for complaints.  We'll see how China likes that.