The emergence of the Omicron variant strengthens Beijing's zero-covid strategy. Of additional concern is a subtype of the Delta variant, which has now led to another lockdown for half a million people in Zhejiang. Hopes for a border opening are thus fading again. Meanwhile, travel to Hong Kong is still possible – but with new rules.
By Ning Wang
Nowadays, no one is safe from the public outcry over supposedly improper remarks. Not only global corporations, but even pop stars loyal to the state are now quickly pilloried on the Internet for hurting the "feelings of the people." The government utilizes this patriotic outrage to push its foreign policy agenda.
By Fabian Peltsch
The pandemic has hit the city's casino operators hard. Now Beijing is launching a crackdown on money laundering and illegal gambling. The Chinese special administrative region is about to change fundamentally.
By Redaktion Table
AI powerhouse Sensetime is first hit by sanctions and is now postponing its IPO indefinitely. The Chinese AI star company has lost its innocence as a tech pioneer by supplying surveillance equipment.
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NIO is seen as a great promise of the future of Chinese mobility. But the brand has even bigger plans: It sees itself as a global player and is venturing into Europe. Hui Zhang, Vice President of NIO Europe, explains in an interview with Christian Domke Seidel how this can be achieved.
By Redaktion Table
China has increased its gas imports more than anticipated. Despite sky-high prices, the country has to keep buying. Winter is approaching, and gas and coal are in short supply. Well over half of gas imports are now liquid gas – which China purchases mainly from geopolitical rivals.
By Christiane Kuehl
In the unprecedented trade dispute between EU member Lithuania and China, Beijing is now trying to put pressure on companies from other EU states. The EU wants to mediate, but according to media reports, an attempt at talks with the Chinese customs authority has been turned down. Will a WTO complaint now be filed?
By Amelie Richter
In Germany, filing for bankruptcy would be unavoidable by now at the latest: Around the globe, Evergrande's creditors are waiting in vain for their money. Behind the scenes, the government is preparing to restructure the group.
By Redaktion Table
This week, Brussels was supposed to present its approach to an EU supply chain law - but the presentation of the Commission's proposal was postponed. Meanwhile, the German supply chain law has been passed and will come into force in just over a year. How are companies in China preparing for implementation? There are still a lot of unanswered questions, including how human rights violations will be detected in the first place, says Jens Hildebrandt. The interview was conducted by Amelie Richter.
By Amelie Richter
Staff changes at VW: Ralf Brandstaetter, the former head of the core VW brand, becomes the group's new China board member. He is supposed to secure the company's market leadership in China. It is said to relieve Herbert Diess, the Group's battered CEO, of some of his workload. But he will also lose influence. And Audi China is getting a new president in the process.
By Redaktion Table
