Coronavirus

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Study suspects two million Corona deaths
A team of US researchers has analyzed freely available data to determine the number of deaths from COVID-19 in China. They estimate the number of additional deaths at two million. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle analyzed search engine hits and other information on obituaries and funerals.The authorities only announced the absurdly low figure […] continue reading →
Mask mandate lifted
Despite an increase in COVID-19 death tolls in June, there is no longer a mask mandate in public spaces anywhere in China. Since mid-April, people have not been required to wear face coverings in public transportation, offices and schools. Now, apparently, the mask mandate has been lifted for public events as well. Recently, even during […] continue reading →
Moderna wants to conduct R&D in China
US biopharmaceutical manufacturer Moderna has signed a preliminary agreement to research, develop and manufacture mRNA pharmaceuticals in China. This is reported by Bloomberg and Yicai news portal. The company would invest about one billion US dollars to get a foot in the door on the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market. The company’s willingness to locate research […] continue reading →
Virologist Gao does not rule out lab theory
The former head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control (CDC), George Gao, does not rule out the possibility that the Covid virus could have escaped from a laboratory. The scientist told a BBC News podcast. “You can always suspect anything. That’s science. Don’t rule out anything,” explained Gao, who has been Vice President of […] continue reading →
Chief virologist expects Covid peak in June
China’s second Covid wave could peak in June when it could reach 65 million infections per week. That’s what Zhong Nanshan, director of the National Respiratory Disease Research Center, said Monday at a forum in southern China. As Caixin reports, China’s top epidemiologist is now calling for speedy revaccination for the elderly population and those […] continue reading →
Covid: New wave and new vaccines
A new Covid wave is apparently sweeping China. According to models by government advisor Zhong Nanshan, the latest outbreak is thought to have been caused by the Omicron XBB subvariant and began as early as mid-April. By the end of May, the wave is expected to lead to 40 million infections per week, peaking at […] continue reading →
Sabine Wilmes – expert for German language in China
Around 2,200 people learn German every year at the Goethe-Institut in Beijing. However, as the deputy director and head of language work, Sabine Wilmes is not only busy with language courses and exams. The Goethe-Institut alone supports more than eighty schools in China, giving German particularly high importance as part of the “Schools: Partners for […] continue reading →
PCR test requirement for entry lifted
Starting this weekend, a negative PCR test for coronavirus will no longer be required for entry into China. Instead, guests can provide a negative antigen test that is no more than 48 hours old, according to Mao Ning, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, airlines are no longer required to check […] continue reading →
Borrell postpones Beijing trip due to Covid infection
Originally, the EU foreign representative Josep Borrell wanted to arrive in Beijing on Thursday. But due to a Covid infection, he has canceled his trip. He had tested positive for Covid-19 and therefore had to postpone the trip, Borrell wrote on Twitter. He said he was doing well and had no symptoms. Borrell had planned […] continue reading →
Germany considers lifting entry ban
Before the pandemic, Chinese tourists were also a key economic factor in Germany. The German Federal Statistical Office counted around 1.5 million visitors in 2019, and just under 180,000 in 2022. Now the German government wants to examine whether it will lift the current entry ban against tourists from the People’s Republic.“A complete lifting of […] continue reading →
China approves first mRNA vaccine
Beijing did not want to be dependent on foreign companies like BioNTech and therefore waited a long time before granting the first approval. The race has now been won by the domestic company CPSC. continue reading →
Hong Kong lifts mask mandate
After almost 1,000 days, masks are no longer mandatory in Hong Kong as of today, Wednesday. As the government of the special administrative region announced on Tuesday, masks only have to be worn in certain facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes. Thus, one of the last bastions in Asia ends the strict mask requirement.Neighboring […] continue reading →
EU Chamber: Hopes for a fresh start in Shanghai
The EU Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai is hoping for a fresh start in 2022 that could bolster European companies across the country. continue reading →
Beijing ends mask mandate at schools
The mask mandate at Beijing schools and kindergartens has been lifted. Local education authorities on Monday declared an end to all Covid restrictions and regulations previously in place. For years, teachers and students were required to wear face masks. Body temperature was measured daily before students could enter school grounds. Even high school students were […] continue reading →
Foxconn posts record sales
Taiwanese Apple supplier Foxconn posted a significant increase in sales in January. The group announced on Sunday that sales rose compared to the same month last year by about 48 percent to a record high of TWD 660.4 billion (€20.42 billion). Compared to December, sales increased by 4.93 percent. The manufacturer of electronic components benefited […] continue reading →
Free travel between Hong Kong and Mainland
Cross-border travel between mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau is now completely open again. Group travel between China and the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau will resume, and the number of open customs checkpoints will return to pre-pandemic levels, China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Bureau says on its website. Travelers […] continue reading →
Ralph Koppitz – expat lawyer back in Germany
Ralph Koppitz still has to get used to the winter weather in Germany. The Munich native has spent the last 20 years in Shanghai, the once cosmopolitan city that has become increasingly cramped for Koppitz and his family in recent years. A few months ago, he made the decision to return home to the German […] continue reading →
Germany increases imports from China
Germany wants to become less dependent on China. In truth, however, German consumers and companies are moving in the opposite direction: Germany is buying more and more goods from China. Disentanglement seems illusory for the moment. continue reading →