The long Shanghai lockdown has left its mark - and continues to do so. But not only there; throughout China, zero-covid has caused a loss of trust in politics. Reports about the abuse of Covid measures for social control are not helping much. Even among local cadres, frustration is rising.
By Christiane Kuehl
The Chinese government has already been working for a long time on a strategy to promote innovation in the field of science and technology. So-called key laboratories are supposed to help the country become a global leader in cutting-edge technologies.
By Ning Wang
While Washington attempts to establish contact with China on many levels, Brussels is not really willing to talk to Beijing. Not even when the Chinese security advisor or the minister of defense are already in Europe for other meetings. This threatens to put the EU out of touch. Even within Europe, resentment is stirring.
By Frank Sieren
For German companies, the situation in Hong Kong is hardly tolerable. Apart from the repressive Security Law, the strict Covid restrictions are a major problem for them. These make business trips almost impossible. That is why more and more become victims of fraud. A business lawyer reports.
By Redaktion Table
Twenty-five years after Hong Kong was returned to the People's Republic of China, the city's future is Beijing-red rather tinged with internationalism. The new Chief Executive John Lee has a cabinet that leaves no doubt that the metropolis will ultimately abandon the promised "high degree of autonomy".
By Marcel Grzanna
The baton of the EU Council Presidency is handed over to the Czech Republic. Prague will spend the next six months indirectly dealing with China, the most important item on the agenda being and remaining Russia's war against Ukraine. The Czech Foreign Ministry has already warned Beijing: Relations with Moscow will be closely monitored. Lithuania could hope for more tailwind from the EU with the (still) 16+1 member Czech Republic.
By Amelie Richter
China wants to contain all infection strands in the country and possibly isolate itself for years to come. The public reacts outraged.
By Redaktion Table
The G7 countries want to increase sanctions against Russia and continue to put new proposals on the table. But without China, they are largely ineffective. China will also be on the agenda at the NATO summit in Madrid. For the first time, the People's Republic will play a role in the defense alliance's Strategic Concept.
By Felix Lee
German consumers are growing aware of the issue of forced labor in Xinjiang. A clear majority favors an import ban on corresponding products. The German public also supports the closure of a VW plant in Urumqi. This was the result of an exclusive survey by the market research institute Civey.
By Marcel Grzanna
China's zero-Covid strategy has thrown global trade into disarray. The retail and consumer goods sectors, which sourced a large proportion of their goods from the People's Republic before the pandemic, have also been hit hard. The supply bottlenecks in the wake of the Shanghai lockdown have once again shown how great the dependency really is. This is likely to change in the long term, says entrepreneur Jan Philippi. The interview was conducted by Felix Lee.
By Felix Lee
