China's new ambassador to the US, Qin Gang, sends a conciliatory signal at the beginning of his term in office with a message of greeting to a panda bear. But when it comes to COVID-19, it becomes clear that this new ambassador is also able to display a fierce attitude towards Washington. After all, unlike diplomats of democratic systems, Qin enjoys considerably less leeway in his work.
By Marcel Grzanna
China's electric market is growing and growing and growing. Nevertheless, not all electric start-ups make the cut. Some are lost on the way. Reasons are too high costs, management problems or excessive ambitions. Only those who get a grip on all these issues have a chance on the merciless predatory market. In the meantime, the stories of the once highly acclaimed bankrupt companies are sounding more and more like soap operas.
By Christiane Kuehl
When it comes to China's stock markets, there is often talk of a bloodbath. However, it was mainly Chinese internet companies that went downhill while producers of solar cells, wind power and electric cars are experiencing a boom.
By Redaktion Table
China is the world's largest producer of hydrogen. But green hydrogen is still rare, and European companies are spearheading it. That is now set to change. With sun, wind and a lot of money, Beijing wants to turn Inner Mongolia into a hub for green hydrogen.
By Frank Sieren
The number of floods in China is rising. Although the country wants to transform more than two-thirds of its cities into so-called "sponge cities" by 2030 and even internationally, the recent floods in Zhengzhou expose the plan's weaknesses.
By Ning Wang
Nils Schmid is concerned: China poses a serious challenge, he says, because it is taking place in an area in which Germany and the West have hitherto considered themselves unrivaled. Angela Merkel's China policy will not get us very far, the SPD foreign policy expert warns. The behavior of the German economy is also not a credit to the country. It is high time for a new German China policy. This interview was conducted by Michael Radunski. Here can find more interviews with top representatives of German politics ahead of the 2021 federal elections.
By Michael Radunski
Beijing's new draft law to regulate algorithms of apps and websites has it all. It offers users clever ways to protect themselves from manipulation. This includes, for example, recommendations for products, videos, or content. Among other things, providers must disclose what data they have already collected. However, experts see two crucial weak points.
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Matthias Schroeder, a Beijing-born German lawyer, talks about Chinese lawmakers who feel above their own laws, on different senses of justice between Germans and Chinese, and on the relationship between state and society. In his opinion, the new data protection law will bring about a decisive change for China. Frank Sieren spoke with Schroeder.
By Frank Sieren
A team of Chinese and American researchers has increased the yield of numerous plants. As a side effect, they are even less prone to droughts. This was achieved through the introduction of a human gene into the genetic material of plants. China is keeping the billion-euro market for genetically engineered agricultural products closed as long as its own industry is not internationally competitive. But new developments could bring about a shift.
By Frank Sieren
A wanton decoupling of the EU from China could harm both sides – that is the conclusion of a discussion in the series "Global China Conversations" of IfW Kiel. But the main actors of new and old protectionism are by no means the US and the EU. China puts political goals before the greatest possible gain in prosperity.
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