In September, the school year started with a series of new textbooks. According to a decree issued by the Ministry of Education, "Xi Jinping Thought on Special Chinese Socialism for the New Age" was to be included. Beijing is not just boosting the cult of personality through this. A year before the big election party congress, it is also a sign that Xi is willing and is going to continue to rule China – after all, his thoughts are now compulsory reading material in all schools.
By Amelie Richter
China has a plastic problem. Trash is everywhere, and a modern waste and recycling management system are only just in the works. Beijing wants to counteract this issue with bioplastics. Huge production capacities are planned. However, the benefits of bioplastics without industrial composting are limited, and there is the added problem of a lack of facilities.
By Christiane Kuehl
The US's plan to house Afghan refugees on Asian military bases has sparked a heated debate in South Korea. The question is whether the presence of US troops in the country is still relevant. A convenient debate for China. Due to tensions with North Korea, Seoul increasingly looking towards China.
By Frank Sieren
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt now heads a new US panel to oversee the development of artificial intelligence. Schmidt is concerned: as China increasingly uses technology to usher in a new form of authoritarianism, global democracies must come together and stand up for their own values and strategic interests.
By Redaktion Table
When the IAA motor show starts in Munich next week, many Chinese manufacturers will also be represented. The days when they were smiled upon are long gone. The attackers are fresh, young and agile. BYD in particular is attacking VW's electric models head-on with well-thought-out concepts.
By Redaktion Table