The high dependence of German industrial companies on the People's Republic of China is one of the lessons learned from the Covid pandemic. Companies like Philipp Kirsch, a producer of laboratory refrigerators, now want to spend more money on key components in its value chain and acquire them in Europe. The big question: Is the consumer also prepared to pay higher prices?
By Marcel Grzanna
Prices in China are climbing. The prices for Spinach alone saw an increase of 160 percent. Many people worry that food could become scarce. And in some places, panic buying has already started. And the government's attempts to calm people's fears are failing. Foreign companies in China are also affected.
By Ning Wang
Taiwanese Apple supplier Foxconn wants to produce EV under the brand name Foxtron. The company has already unveiled three prototypes designed in Italy. As with iPhones, the cars are to be produced for other manufacturers; there is already a joint venture with European manufacturer Stellantis (Chrysler, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat). And these ambitious plans could very well work out thanks to the group's technical know-how and financial resources.
By Frank Sieren
Not even universities are spared the re-ideologization of the People's Republic. If you want to work in China as a Western academic, you should be aware of this – and to a certain extent have to come to terms with it, says Ruth Schimanowski. She is heading the Beijing office of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). In our CEO-Talk, she explains why Chinese scholars are good for the German academic landscape and why there is a renaissance of German as an academic language. The interview was conducted by Frank Sieren.
By Frank Sieren
Almost everywhere, governments are currently easing their COVID restrictions despite rising infection numbers. Only China does not want to change its course. Yet it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep the virus in check, as the latest outbreak shows.
By Redaktion Table
China's e-car makers are increasingly pushing into international markets. Our author Christian Domke Seidel test drove the Aiways U5. The SUV is a solid package. However, there were still problems in the crash test, where the car could only achieve three out of five stars. And digitalization is still an issue. And yet: The Aiways brand is only four years old and still manages to demonstrate how quickly Chinese carmakers are catching up.
By Redaktion Table
The economic environment in China is becoming more uncomfortable, according to the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce. Compared to the spring, German companies operating in the People's Republic are taking a more negative outlook on economic development in the coming twelve months. As a concrete consequence, they are shifting their investments to other parts of the world. The behavior of its hitherto most loyal foreign investors should give China food for thought.
By Amelie Richter
In order to cool down the overheated Chinese real estate market, homeowners will be asked to pay a hefty tax in the future. The tax will mainly hit rich citizens and speculators. Observers doubt, however, that it will make apartments more affordable.
By Redaktion Table
The 6th plenum of the current Central Committee will convene in Beijing next week. Under normal circumstances of the post-reform era, this would herald the end of Xi Jinping's term in office. But the latter dares to break with Deng Xiaoping and wants to anchor himself even more firmly as the "core of the CP". He also wants to lift himself even further up the all-time list of the historic party hierarchy: above Deng, next to Mao.
By Michael Radunski
The global heads of state currently debate in Glasgow ways to tackle global warming. One region is already feeling the effects of climate change: the Arctic. As the ice dwindles, the region's appetites are growing. Beijing's activities in the Far North are alarming Brussels. But the EU's special envoy for the Arctic, Michael Mann, estimates the current potential for conflict as low.
By Amelie Richter
