A new science group of the World Health Organization wants to uncover the origin of the Covid pandemic. German virologist Christian Drosten may be among them. The lab theory is not officially the focus of interest – it is more about genetics and intermediate hosts. Nevertheless, those responsible are hoping to gain new insights. Is China opening up to sample collection?
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Everyone's suspicions are now being confirmed: Evergrande can't service its loans. The real estate group is missing one payment deadline after another. But the International Monetary Fund still believes China can cope with the situation without major consequences for the entire economy. Meanwhile, Evergrande's car division made a surprise announcement.
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Car software developers like Alibaba-backed start-up Banma are becoming more important to the automobile market because the car of the future increasingly resembles a rolling, very complex smartphone. It is defined by its software, which can be easily updated wirelessly. Chinese companies are very active and successful in this field.
By Frank Sieren
Analysts and industry representatives expect China's energy crisis to drag on for a long time – probably well into next year. While the government quickly announced countermeasures, the causes of the crisis are so complex that they can hardly be resolved on short notice.
By Nico Beckert
In order to live up to its claim to technical leadership, Beijing has recognized the power of determining standards. Newly published guidelines show Beijing's two-pronged approach: Its domestic standards system is to be unified and is to gain more significance internationally.
By Amelie Richter
Kristalina Georgieva is the director of the International Monetary Fund. She is accused of manipulating a country's ranking in Beijing's favor during her recent work for the World Bank. US congressmen and economists consider her no longer tenable and are calling for her resignation. Europeans, on the other hand, are coming to her defense. The accusations have not yet been proven. Is China's leadership systematically abusing international organizations for its own ends?
By Felix Lee
Taiwan cherishes its de facto independence – even if it refrains from formally declaring it. China's President Xi, meanwhile, is again calling for "peaceful reunification" and garnishes his offer with obvious threats. Their positions differ more than ever before.
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Shenzhen is the world's EV capital. The world's largest e-charging station is also located here. Up to 5,000 vehicles can be charged daily. Although much of China's electricity is still produced from coal, the environment still benefits: Particulate pollution has been drastically reduced within a decade.
By Frank Sieren
In China, more propaganda films are being shown again. But although the "genre" appears with powerful images, they attract only a few viewers and thus damage distribution and cinema operators. It is not a risk-free business for production companies either, because historical content is subject to particularly close scrutiny.
By Redaktion Table
Chinese consumers spend the most money on beauty treatments in the world. After the tech, tutoring, and finance industries, Beijing is now aiming for the beauty industry. The Communist Party doesn't like a lot of things about people's pursuit of beauty.
By Ning Wang
