Feature • China.Table

Bettina Schoen-Behanzin, representative of the Freudenberg Group in Shanghai and President of the local EU Chamber, talks about the opportunities and risks for German companies in a more self-confident China. The interview was conducted by Frank Sieren. continue reading →

Getting German news beyond the official state media is often hard for Chinese readers. Some WeChat channels that specialize in political events and social phenomena in Germany aim to provide a more differentiated picture. We present three of them. continue reading →

While German delegates make their appointments in Taipei, Beijing fulminates in its usual fashion about "interference". Meanwhile, a supposed quote from the head of the delegation, Klaus-Peter Willsch, made international rounds – but it was a retranslation of an overly enthusiastic translation into Mandarin. continue reading →

Since 2016, China's President Xi Jinping has been propagating a "Sinicization of religions". Religious communities are tolerated – but only if they are subordinate to socialism. Muslim communities are being "renovated" accordingly, for example, the Niujie district in Beijing or the Nanguan Mosque in the northwestern Chinese city of Yinchuan. continue reading →

Johannes Hack, President of the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, criticizes the uncertainty caused by the Covid policy of the last couple of years. Mainland China is building the walls around itself higher and higher. On the one hand, this could again strengthen Hong Kong's status. But because foreigners from Hong Kong can no longer travel freely to China, the island becomes increasingly unattractive. The interview was conducted by Ning Wang. continue reading →

The Chinese yuan has fallen to its lowest level compared to the US dollar since the financial crisis in 2008. It is in good company because the euro and the British pound have declined by a similar level. But should the currency of the world's second-largest economy by now not be in a better position than the EU to stand up to the dollar? At present, there is little sign of that. The Chinese yuan is still far from being a global currency. continue reading →

As of today, Porsche stocks are to be traded on the stock exchange. The company wants to become more independent and invest the proceeds of the IPO in its future viability. This also hinges on China, where its cars are perceived completely differently. Porsche hopes to achieve a cult status there. continue reading →

Chinese scientists have developed a method to minimize power outages with the help of artificial intelligence. This could give Beijing's plan for a global, balancing power grid a new boost. continue reading →

Against expectations, "Return to Dust," a movie about the troubles of the poor rural population, has become a box-office hit in China. But since its powerful images undermine Xi Jinping's success story of the fight against poverty in the countryside, it has now fallen victim to the censorship authorities. China's movie fans are outraged. continue reading →

With a motion for a future debate on China's human rights crimes in Xinjiang, supporters want to buy time to pave the way for a resolution. It would be the first resolution against China in the history of the Human Rights Council. The initiators are optimistic that the motion will be passed in Geneva next week. The long-term goal is to install a special rapporteur for the People's Republic. continue reading →

Xi Jinping will be elected as the CP leader for the third time at the upcoming congress, that much seems certain. But below the General Secretary, there is a struggle for positions: A generational change is imminent, which could also allow insights into the CP's internal power structure. continue reading →

The election result in Italy is bad news for Beijing: Giorgia Meloni's right-wing populist alliance is considering Italy's withdrawal from the New Silk Road. In addition, the election winner wants to step up relations with Taiwan. continue reading →

China's population growth is about to take a hard turn. China's population could already reach its peak by the end of the year. Demographers warn of a rapidly declining birth rate. The CP must act quickly and thoroughly, but so far it has been setting the wrong priorities. continue reading →

In his campaign against Ukraine, Russia's President Putin can now apparently no longer rely on China's support. After the partial mobilization, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges Moscow to find a swift solution at the negotiating table. Beijing has made it clear that it has no interest in extending the conflict. continue reading →

Xi Jinping eliminates several former security chiefs by sending them to prison. In this way, they become a cautionary tale for anyone who questions his power. He has seen the last remaining threats to his position in the inner circle of the police ministry. He wants to bring the apparatus completely under control by the time of the CP Congress. continue reading →

Wherever criticism of China is voiced during the 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, diplomats from the People's Republic are close. They hijack panel discussions with minute-long statements and take down the names of all opposing speakers. Through its influence on other UN bodies, the country denies accreditation to UN participants it does not want to speak out. Instead, Chinese organizations under the guise of independence increasingly claim more speaking time. continue reading →

After the excitement surrounding a security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands, things have become quiet around the Pacific state. But Beijing is using the supposed silence to expand its influence. continue reading →

The China euphoria of earlier years has given way to great skepticism. Among European companies, there is now a sense of China fatigue in the face of never-ending Zero-Covid measures, which sparked a whole series of economic problems. A new position paper of the EU Chamber in China makes this obvious. continue reading →