Apple Daily journalist interview + Brussels gets feisty • China.Table

Journalist Shirley Leung on Hong Kong elections
China-EU: turbulent year 2021
Ex-EU chief Juncker regrets his China policy
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Profile: Axel Schweitzer – grand plans for Alba in China

Dear reader,

The Christmas season brings more than just contemplative topics. China.Table takes the ongoing dispute over the automotive supplier Continental as an opportunity to look back on what was a difficult year for European-Chinese relations. Amelie Richter’s 2021 in review analyses what has happened in China-EU relations: Brussels is getting snappy, China is becoming more belligerent.

The dispute over CAI, mutual sanctions, and, not the least, China’s aggressive stance towards Taiwan and Lithuania – all these conflicts are also putting the new German government to the test. The Greens, SPD, and FDP are by no means in unison on how to deal with China. While the new Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has announced a “value-oriented foreign policy” and is focusing more on confrontation with Beijing, former SPD grandees (Gerhard Schröder, Sigmar Gabriel, Rudolf Scharping) have rallied around Chancellor Olaf Scholz. They are worried about German-Chinese business relations.

One thing is undeniable, after all: Germany has benefited more from China’s economic rise than any other country. Accordingly, the dependence of at least some key sectors on the People’s Republic is relatively high. A conflict that will stay with us in 2022. But perhaps it is also a chance? After all, this dependence is mutual, and Germany has little choice but to join forces with China.

Another year in review focuses on the events in Hong Kong. Fabian Peltsch talks with a former journalist of the newspaper Apple Daily. She recounts the turbulent times before the Beijing-critical paper was ultimately shut down. Looking back at last weekend’s election, she says: “My preferred candidates are all in jail.”

Even though we can’t quite elude serious topics: This is our last issue before the holidays. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! China.Table will be back on December 28 with an issue between holidays. We will then resume our regular schedule on Monday, January 3rd.

Your
Felix Lee

Interview

‘You have to fight for freedom of the press’

Until the Beijing-critical Apple Daily was shut down, reporter Shirley Leung also held out

Shirley Leung is one of the last journalists in Hong Kong to report on pro-democracy activities on the ground. As a reporter for the Apple Daily, she experienced the shutdown by Beijing firsthand. She now seeks to prevent the fates of democracy activists from being erased from the collective memory. Fabian Peltsch spoke with Leung.

By
Fabian Peltsch

Ms. Leung, you are one of the few journalists in Hong Kong that still gives pro-democracy angles a voice. How did you feel about the general election last Sunday?

That was the first election that I didn’t take part in, nor as a journalist or with my vote. I am reluctant to recognize this type of election as a real, legitimate election. The circle of candidates was limited to well-known patriots. The turnout was the lowest in history.

Was there no candidate you might have considered a compromise?

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