Peng Shuai + Siemens division to be sold + Train to Laos

Names such as Kion, Putzmeister, Kuka, and Volvo are examples of high-profile, long-term acquisitions by Chinese groups in Europe. Now another one could be added: According to media reports, Hisense has expressed interest in the Siemens Mobility subsidiary Yunex. The standing offer is one billion US dollars. Given the rapid digitization of transportation in China, the acquisition would be particularly fitting, analyzes Finn Mayer-Kuckuk.

Chinese Wimbledon winner Peng Shuai has vanished without a trace over two weeks ago. Peng had publicly accused a top Chinese official of sexual abuse earlier this month. Since then, there has been no trace of her. In an email presumably written by Peng, the athlete states, “All is well.” But there are doubts about the authenticity of the message. But only internationally. And in the People’s Republic? Our colleagues in China report: Instead of trying to resolve the situation, Beijing is resorting to widespread censorship.

We also take a look at the railway project between Kunming and Laos. After six years of construction, China has completed the first high-speed rail line with an international connection, and the first trains are scheduled for December 2nd. Elsewhere, however, the People’s Republic’s ambitious railway plans are at a standstill, partly due to the Covid pandemic. But this won’t make Beijing change its plans, writes Frank Sieren – because the People’s Republic wants to pull neighboring nations close with a high-speed train network.

He notes: Five years after Xi Jinping was declared the “core” of the party, he is now sitting more firmly in the saddle than ever before. He lets himself be addressed as people’s leader, commander-in-chief, or China’s helmsman, almost the same way Mao was once described. However, he still has not received the highest honorary title: That the nation will honor him with the call 万岁, the wish that he will live for “ten thousand years”.

Have a great weekend!

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Amelie Richter