Xi Jinping has unleashed a new wave of anti-corruption crackdowns. The usual ideological embellishment has now received a pop-culture aspect. The public can gorge itself on spectacular criminal cases of greed and bribery in the form of a TV show. This legitimizes purges and thus bolsters the party's power.
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Hypersonic weapons are currently all the rage in the field of armaments. This technology is considered to be the greatest advance of the past ten years. Most recently, China and North Korea tested hypersonic missiles. The US military began the new year in a state of alarm. In the meantime, it has become clear that China does indeed possess the more dangerous variant of the new missile technology.
By Michael Radunski
Optimism among German companies in China is waning. Challenges weigh heavily on the market environment: Covid entry restrictions, concerns about politicization and decoupling, or staffing issues. Nevertheless, hardly any company wants to leave the People's Republic. Many even plan further investments – and want to localize their operations more.
By Christiane Kuehl
European scientists are still leading in nuclear fusion research. But the People's Republic is catching up rapidly – thanks in part to foreign support. European scientists, on the other hand, criticize a lack of funds and bureaucratic hurdles. How far is China from almost limitless fusion power?
By Nico Beckert
To achieve its climate targets, China has issued new recycling regulations. Package delivery services are to use more recycled materials for packaging. So far, however, the government's efforts have fallen on deaf ears among package delivery services: The majority of the so-called Kuaidi companies hardly use recycled materials.
By Ning Wang
China is an export nation. But its exports are also dependent on imports. The country needs technology inputs and raw materials from abroad. And the majority has to be acquired from its geopolitical rivals. The trade war with the US has demonstrated Beijing its own vulnerability since 2018. This is why it opts for in-house developments for components and supplier diversification for raw materials.
By Christiane Kuehl
The Chinese economy is under pressure from multiple fronts – as the latest statistics show. Pandemic and real estate woes have weakened growth at the beginning of the year. However, the balance sheet for the past year is impressive.
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As Germany's former ambassador to China, Michael Schaefer has gained unique insights into the People's Republic. Frank Sieren spoke with the retired diplomat about human rights and the diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Schaefer urges more unanimity among EU member states. The EU should draw red lines when it comes to importing goods produced under forced labor. At the same time, however, Europe needs to engage in intensive dialogue with China.
By Frank Sieren
For years, the lawyer Christine Lee made generous donations to British political parties and parliamentarians. Now MI5 is warning politicians about her activities. For the first time, the intelligence service identifies the United Front as a threat to national security. The UK apparently wants to push back Chinese influence.
By Marcel Grzanna
After a three-year search, the Vatican has found a new bishop for Hong Kong in Stephen Chow Sau-yan. The 62-year-old Jesuit is to broker between the fronts and prevent Christians in Hong Kong from suffering the same fate as the believers on the mainland.
By Fabian Peltsch
