On his inaugural visit, Friedrich Merz is emphasizing partnership with China. The chancellor no longer speaks of a “systemic rival.” He uses clear language only on economic issues.
By Helene Bubrowski
Europe still has catching up to do in battery recycling, but it can seize opportunities in niche markets. China is building up practical know-how thanks to larger recycling volumes. At the same time, China and Europe are competing for the raw materials needed for recycling processes.
By Christian Domke Seidel
China’s top propaganda newspaper is pushing a leadership campaign on cadre discipline. Coming just ahead of the National People’s Congress, it is also seen as an appeal for Party cadres’ loyalty.
By Leonardo Pape
After new tariff threats, China criticizes what it calls a US tactic of “shifting blame.” If Washington imposes further tariff measures, China’s Ministry of Commerce says it will “take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
By Leonardo Pape
In January, nearly 14,000 BYD vehicles were newly registered in the EU. BYD’s market share is thus 1.9% – about twice as high as Tesla’s.
By Leonardo Pape
To become a central instrument of EU foreign and security policy, the EU’s infrastructure strategy urgently needs reform, members of the European Parliament argue.
By Antonia Zimmermann
China and Belarus are intensifying their arms cooperation; Moscow is the beneficiary. This makes Chancellor Merz’s trip to China even more complicated.
By Viktor Funk, Marcel Grzanna and Helene Bubrowski
DeepSeek appears to have used the Nvidia Blackwell chip to train its latest model. This is subject to US export restrictions.
By Redaktion Table
China is increasingly using export controls as a geo-economic tool, especially since 2020. The measures are mainly reactive in nature and are used as a tactical element in the US-China conflict.
By Jack Lee and Markus Herrmann Chen
In China, the spirit of cooperation is emphasized during Friedrich Merz's visit. For the first time, the chancellor is more in the focus of the Chinese public. Critical perspectives from Germany are partially ignored.
By Leonardo Pape
