Demographics + Autonomous driving + BASF + Tesa

With regards to COVID, the same discussion often takes place in Asia and in Europe under completely different auspices. Hong Kong, like Germany, is discussing privileges for vaccinated people. The only difference is that in Hong Kong, there are currently only one or two new infections per day. Vaccinations need a special incentive – and in the future, allowing visits to bars and restaurants could be that incentive, as shown by Gregor Koppenburg and Jörn Petring. 

Is China’s population already shrinking? A report in the Financial Times has caused some confusion on this issue. Officially, Beijing denies the decline. That may be propaganda – but it ultimately doesn’t matter because sooner or later, the population will undoubtedly shrink. The low birth rate is already depressing growth and putting pressure on old-age security. Felix Lee explains what this means for the Chinese and German economies in his feature. 

Huawei is already so indispensable to the mobile technology industry that Germany is tearing itself apart in debates about the right way to deal with the company. Meanwhile, the Shenzhen-based company is using its enormous software and hardware expertise to move into a new field: technical equipment that teaches cars how to drive autonomously. The company’s development chief fills us in on whether Huawei will soon become just as indispensable there. 

A word on my own behalf: As of this issue, I am taking over as editorial director of China.Table. After nine years as a correspondent in Beijing, I am delighted to now be working from Berlin on reporting about this country, which is important in many respects. If you notice anything about our product or would like to share praise or criticism with us – please send me a message to the address china@table.media. I look forward to your feedback! 

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Finn Mayer-Kuckuk