Price slump at Didi + News on Meng case

When Chinese ride-hailing service Didi went public with its stock in New York a week ago, spirits were at an all-time high. But this didn’t last for long. Just two days later, Beijing launched a crackdown on the company. As investigations by our team in Beijing prove, China’s authorities did not entirely strike without warning and the aftermath is even felt at US stock markets.

Huawei’s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou has been placed under house arrest in Canada in December 2018. It’s a volatile political case waiting to explode. Now a surprising turn of events is on the horizon, according to a report by Frank Sieren. The alleged victim HSBC appears to be cooperating with the accused Meng – and thus exonerating Meng. Whether this will also have an impact on the cases of Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, who are currently being held in China, remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, the noose is tightening around Hong Kong’s media houses. After the forced closure of the Apple Daily, other publications within the financial metropolis, who uphold a critical stance on China now also have to for their future. The National Security Act dangles over editorial offices like a sword of Damocles, expresses Marcel Grzanna. According to rumors, even the tradition-rich South China Morning Post is considered to be turned into a cog in Beijing’s propaganda machine.

Lastly, I would like to draw your attention to today’s portrait. Felix Lee explains how China’s professional footballer Li Ying is currently making headlines – not with a spectacular goal, but with a very special declaration of love. To her girlfriend! And Beijing’s authorities do not seem too pleased about that.

I hope you have pleasant read and gain some fascinating new insights

Your
Michael Radunski