China surpasses Germany in car exports – this news caught the attention of the automotive industry at the start of the week. But while China's numbers included commercial vehicles, Germany's did not. So Germany remains ahead of China for the time being, but this is no reason for the German auto industry to rest easy.
By Frank Sieren
Dangerous incidents in the South China Sea are on the rise. But of all places, an area through which one-third of all global trade transits lacks a universally accepted crisis mechanism.
By Michael Radunski
The abrupt end of the zero-Covid policy also creates a serious problem for state propaganda. China's leadership is looking for a new narrative and is resorting to tried-and-tested methods. But the loss of public trust could still have consequences.
By Fabian Peltsch
With its four-day visit to Taipei, the high-ranking FDP delegation wanted to express its solidarity with democratic Taiwan and send a clear signal to the communist leadership in Beijing: the delegation would neither be blackmailed nor intimidated. In an interview with Felix Lee, political scientist and Taiwan expert Eberhard Sandschneider declares such trips as reckless and irresponsible.
By Felix Lee
The first trip of the new Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is to Africa. This has to do with tradition but, above all, with geopolitics. The West also wants to become more active in Africa. Beijing now says: We have been number one in Europe's neighborhood for a long time.
By Michael Radunski
One visit to Taiwan by German MPs follows the next – politicians from the Greens, SPD, FDP and CDU outdo each other with declarations of solidarity for the island nation. This intensity is new. Admittedly, this is by no means a formal Zeitenwende for dealing with the status quo. But MPs are already pushing it so far that experts are downright alarmed.
By Felix Lee
The EU Chamber is back in Brussels after three years of zero-Covid. The delegation's message: The Covid nightmare may be over, but the country's "socialist path" will severely slow down its economic development in the long run.
By Marcel Grzanna
The new Supply Chain Act came into force at the turn of the year. Large companies will be under greater obligation to comply with human rights and environmental requirements. This primarily affects German companies that do business in and with China. But most of them are prepared.
By Felix Lee
The Chinese EV market is highly fragmented. Many manufacturers have high debts but hardly any sales. Consolidation could also benefit German manufacturers.
By Christian Domke Seidel
The ten members of the liberal FDP parliamentary group will remain in Taiwan until Thursday. The MPs see their trip as a sign of solidarity with a democratic partner and reject any accusations of provocation.
By David Demes
