During the Covid epidemic, the Chinese state has enabled local governments to borrow at record levels. They are supposed to use it to pay for infrastructure projects and thus boost the economy. As a result, China's economy has grown as desired but so has the debt burden. Depending on how it is calculated, it even exceeds US debt as a share of GDP. But China has some decisive advantages.
By Frank Sieren
It is supposed to be the Android killer and free the company from part of its US dependency. Indeed, Huawei showed many interesting and useful features during the presentation of HarmonyOS. A gradual market launch is now starting in Asia. But how new is the new product really? Experts smell a label fraud.
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Climate change is bringing a new region into the focus of geopolitics: the Arctic. Long covered by meters of ice, its raw materials are now arousing desires. China, too, wants to get involved as a major power and incorporate the region as the Polar Silk Road into President Xi Jinping's prestige project. But it won't be quite that easy.
By Michael Radunski
For years, the Chinese government has been working hard to erase the memories of the Tiananmen massacre from the population, using censorship and the coercion of activists. The campaign against remembrance has now reached Hong Kong, where hundreds of thousands used to gather for the annual vigil. Hong Kong teachers face punishment for teaching the background and details of the bloody events. Dissidents warn of a history distortion in the West as well.
By Marcel Grzanna
China's cities are faced with rapidly growing mountains of waste. Intelligently monitored waste collection points are supposed to increase the currently low recycling rate in the future. Those who do not separate waste properly lose bonus points. The amount of waste in China is increasing dramatically, but per capita, it is only a third of what Americans produce. German companies are also benefiting.
By Frank Sieren
China is facing a demographic crisis. People are getting old before they are wealthy. Now Beijing's rulers are relenting and adopting the three-child policy. But despite the relaxation, they don't want to relinquish control. And it won't solve the real problems either.
By Michael Radunski
The problem of China's aging population may not be as dramatic as it seems at first glance. In an international comparison, China is still doing quite well. Even countries where the problem of aging is much more significant or which have very low birth rates do not make a socially unstable impression. China's advantages: The social safety net is not yet very well developed. Debt is manageable and Beijing has not even begun to regulate the aging of society via immigration. So a systemic collapse is unlikely.
By Frank Sieren
The suspension of the ratification of the CAI is not an unexpected step in view of the diplomatic friction between the EU and China. Nevertheless, economist Liu Wan-Hsin from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) regrets the temporary failure of the treaty: It would have brought Germany many advantages. Felix Lee spoke with Liu.
By Felix Lee
In China, as well as in Germany, local and international companies are striving to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. BASF wants to be a pioneer here and is designing a new factory to run entirely on green electricity. This is not easy. But the company is cooperating with the Guangdong provincial government to become independent of the large share of coal in China's electricity mix.
By Christiane Kuehl
US President Joe Biden wants to renew alliances that his predecessor neglected or deliberately destroyed. In the Indo-Pacific, this is the "Quad", consisting of the US, Japan, Australia, and India. Their goal: creating a counterweight to China. Some are already dreaming of an Asian NATO. Beijing is reacting with sharp threats – and making its first mistakes.
By Michael Radunski
