The 6th plenum of the current Central Committee will convene in Beijing next week. Under normal circumstances of the post-reform era, this would herald the end of Xi Jinping's term in office. But the latter dares to break with Deng Xiaoping and wants to anchor himself even more firmly as the "core of the CP". He also wants to lift himself even further up the all-time list of the historic party hierarchy: above Deng, next to Mao.
By Michael Radunski
Black ink on a red background. That is how Chinese business cards once looked like, back when they were presented by emissaries of the imperial court. Name cards were already used in China thousands of years ago. However, the gesture of handing them over – with both hands – was copied. Nowadays, however, all that is needed to exchange contacts is a tap on the smartphone.
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The global heads of state currently debate in Glasgow ways to tackle global warming. One region is already feeling the effects of climate change: the Arctic. As the ice dwindles, the region's appetites are growing. Beijing's activities in the Far North are alarming Brussels. But the EU's special envoy for the Arctic, Michael Mann, estimates the current potential for conflict as low.
By Amelie Richter
