Trade with the People's Republic is booming, and the financial year 2021 promises new records. Nevertheless, criticism of the current China strategy is growing in Switzerland. Can the country maintain its famous neutrality even though it is bound to the People's Republic by a free trade agreement? A dilemma for the Swiss.
By Amelie Richter
With the takeover of the Beijing real estate group Soho China, the US private equity company Blackstone has made its largest real estate deal in China to date. The takeover cost a good $3 billion. This is already the third billion-dollar deal with China in just a few months. Other large financial companies are also expanding in China.
By Frank Sieren
Anyone who wants to process data of European citizens in China or data from China abroad will have to be even more careful in the future. Otherwise, they could face severe penalties. Two new laws seem to make China more like the EU – but the situation is now even more complicated for companies.
By Falk Steiner
In the Chinese Communist Party, the personal network of relationships builds the basis for climbing to a position of power. In past decades, those who made it to the top were either members of the Youth League or representatives of coastal business interests. Head of state Xi has managed to weaken both factions and build his own empire. But the path to the presidency for life is fraught with danger.
By Marcel Grzanna
Boycotts against European companies sanctions in response to political positioning: Beijing is increasingly using its economic power as leverage. The EU wants to improve its ability to defend against blackmail in the future. A think tank has now presented concrete proposals on how to make use of a new anti-coercion instrument in response.
By Amelie Richter
German companies are hoping that China will finally relax its strict entry restrictions. But Beijing continues to keep quiet about when it will revise visa rules and quarantine. The less effective Chinese vaccines are likely delaying a decision further.
By Redaktion Table
The port of Shenzhen is experiencing a double traffic jam after a small COVID-19 outbreak: inside, goods are piling up; outside, freighters are waiting to dock. The consequences for logistics are felt around the globe. Industrial goods are arriving too late in the target markets, and prices are rising. Meanwhile, the Ifo Institute is proposing a simple countermeasure.
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China's companies are more present at the UEFA European Championship, Euro 2020, than ever before. They are appearing as official partners like Alibaba – or as tournament sponsors like TikTok. The advertising presence gets the companies visibility for their global business and, at the same time, supports China's ambitions to host a World Cup itself one day. And since Chinese fans also like to watch the Euro at night, the advertising serves the country's own market as well.
By Christiane Kuehl
The "wrong" title of an academic paper is reason enough for the online professional network LinkedIn to make a user's profile invisible in China. The company defends itself as a strong supporter of freedom of expression but submits to pressure from Beijing. The case of a Swedish LinkedIn user shows how determined the People's Republic is to ban unpleasant topics from discourse.
By Marcel Grzanna
What is the name of the worldwide largest smartphone manufacturer? Samsung, Apple, Huawei? Wrong. The Chinese company BBK Electronics is virtually unknown to consumers, but it produces one out of four mobile phones worldwide. They are sold through a whole range of brands, including Oppo and Vivo.
By Redaktion Table
