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China (English)

Feature

From 'overtourism' to visitor slump

Chinese tourists were ridiculed in many places in Europe. Now that they are staying away because of Covid, the tourism industry is suffering. In Switzerland and Berlin, the number of overnight stays by guests from the Far East fell by up to 98 percent last year compared to the same period in the previous year. In China, there are strict quarantine rules for returning travelers.

By Felix Lee

Feature

Biontech: rocky start in China

Covid vaccine from Biontech will be delivered in China in February. Nevertheless, Chinese state media and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been criticizing the product, which will be manufactured and marketed in cooperation with Fosun, for days. Leading Chinese scientists now denounce the lack of transparency in Chinese vaccines and tests.

By Frank Sieren

Feature

Starting signal for emissions trading

On Monday, the long-planned Emissions Trading System (ETS) will be launched in China. For now, only companies from the energy sector will participate. Standards and prices are set low to keep the entry hurdle low. Stricter rules mean that heavy industry won't be able to avoid the program.

By Christiane Kuehl

Feature

Beijing's controversial coal funding

China is the largest and one of the last financiers of coal-fired power plants abroad. Criticism will increase under the new US President Biden. In an international study, the Chinese Ministry of the Environment does not oppose a climate traffic light for the Silk Road. But Beijing is also pursuing economic interests with coal financing.

By Nico Beckert

Feature

Hong Kong opposition hopes for sanctions

Hong Kong activists push for help from Berlin, for example, with sanctions against Carrie Lam or more scholarships for young students. But the Germans point to responsibilities in Brussels and the already existing right to visa-free entry.

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