China (English)

Farewell to the Atlantic

If we Europeans have an interest in the US continuing to take on the task of keeping the world order, and China in particular, in balance, because we rightly do not trust ourselves to do so, then we would be wise to do everything we can to keep the American President's back. Europe's focus should be on a common foreign and development policy in the Middle East and Africa and on finding ways to finance a genuine alternative offer of infrastructure investment in Central Asia and Africa to compete with the Chinese 'Silk Road'.

By Redaktion Table

China vaccinates slowly – but wants to catch up

The People's Republic has overcome COVID. Many people are therefore in no hurry to be vaccinated. But China wants to vaccinate 560 million people by June. 18 to 59-year-olds first. Herd immunity is to be achieved by the end of the year. The capital Beijing, in particular, is pushing the pace.

By Redaktion Table

IfW researches China's engagement in Africa

By Antje Sirleschtov

On the privilege of the Chinese number

Not only in China do people know that some are more equal than others. Among the ritualized privileges of Beijing's rulers is the privilege of using Chinese characters for numbers in their writings. One who rebelled against this was the Marxist polymath and science councilor Yu Guangyuan, one of the theorists who developed the concept of the "socialist market economy".

By Redaktion Table

26.03.2021_Dessert

By Amelie Richter

Western companies on the front lines of an ideological conflict

H M products disappear from Internet platforms in China. Taxi drivers can no longer find store addresses on their mobile phones: The boycott calls against H M, Nike, or Adidas reveal the fundamental problem of foreign companies in the People's Republic. They are caught between value-oriented demands from the West and the threatening wrath of an authoritarian government with the world's largest consumer market behind it. The truth is that the boycotts often die down quickly, and the damage to the companies is rarely permanent.

By Marcel Grzanna

Tesla is slowed down in China

Tesla is suspected of espionage in China. Military personnel and employees of state-owned companies are to be banned from using the US company's EVs. This is seen as payback for the espionage allegations against Huawei in the US. However, there is no evidence for either accusation. The pressure on Tesla comes at an inopportune time. The US manufacturer still wants to expand its range this year with a low-cost mass product. Elon Musk is therefore cozying up to China.

By Frank Sieren

European think tanks condemn sanctions

By Amelie Richter

China's Social Credit System still lacks transparency and legal certainty

The Social Credit System is to become a defining feature of Beijing's data-based governance. It leads to more transparency about compliance with rules and laws. Breaches of rules but also particularly rule-compliant behavior, will be recorded in publicly accessible databases. German companies are also affected. While some see the system as a regulatory jungle, others use it to better assess Chinese business partners. It remains to be seen in which direction Beijing will develop the system further.

By Nico Beckert

Beijing grabs Jack Ma's media holdings

After the authorities surprisingly canceled the IPO of Alibaba's financial subsidiary Ant Group, the group is threatened with further cuts. According to reports, Beijing wants Alibaba to drastically scale back its media holdings. The independence of the South China Morning Post is in danger.

By Redaktion Table