China.Table

Feature

Investment in the EU falls to ten-year low

According to a joint study by the research institute Merics and the Rhodium Group, mergers and acquisitions by Chinese companies in the EU continue to decline. This is partly because of the Chinese state. Foreign acquisitions are no longer as desirable as they were five years ago. But EU countries, for their part, are also increasingly wary and call for closer scrutiny of deals. The political climate is doing its bit to scare off investors.

By Finn Mayer-Kuckuk

Anti-foreign sanctions law: with us or against us

The new law against punitive measures puts foreign companies in a quandary. They face drastic consequences in the second-largest economy if they comply with possible sanctions. To eliminate the risks in the long term, they would have to create completely independent value chains. That is economically risky. Yet the worst-case scenario also offers opportunities.

By Marcel Grzanna

Bitcoin mines are forced to close by the dozen

Bitcoin is a natural enemy of China's financial controls, which are as seamless as possible. After the ban on crypto trading platforms four years ago, the power is now being cut off to miners in more and more provinces. Now, many companies flee the People's Republic and look for new locations abroad.

By Redaktion Table

Nato: China a 'systemic challenge'

NATO has discovered China. For the first time, the People's Republic appears in the final summit declaration. In it, Beijing is called on to show more transparency about its weapons arsenal and to live up to its responsibilities at sea, in cyberspace and in outer space. NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg expresses satisfaction at having brought the 30 states onto a common line vis-à-vis China. But behind the scenes, there are different opinions.

By Amelie Richter

Taishan nuclear power plant: radioactive leak or normal operation?

A report is circulating in the US media that the Taishan nuclear power plant is about to be shut down due to safety problems. China insists that the situation is under control. In fact, radioactive gases are inevitable during reactor operation. However, they should not escape in large quantities into the plant or the surrounding area.

By Finn Mayer-Kuckuk

Green skyscrapers

China's skyscrapers are among the most sustainable in the world. The developers are still primarily state-owned. But now Beijing is forcing private builders to meet higher sustainability standards as well. This will have consequences because most of the world's new skyscrapers are currently built in China.

By Frank Sieren

Cancer therapy: pharmaceutical companies to shake up the world market

China's pharmaceutical industry wants to play a role in the global market for cancer drugs with innovative biotech start-ups and inexpensive in-house developments. Chinese suppliers are teaming up with European and American partners to open up Western markets. Now, there is hope that the expensive treatment will become cheaper and possibly better because of the new competitive pressure from China.

By Frank Sieren

G7 faces Belt and Road Initiative with counter-initiative

The G7 countries want to counter China's new Silk Road with their own global infrastructure initiative. Joe Biden organized a considerable majority at the meeting in Cornwall. However, one country is putting on the brakes: Germany. Meanwhile, the seven established industrial nations spoke out in favor of respecting human rights and a free Hong Kong – but left the question of consequences unanswered.

By Felix Lee

EU vaccination certificate excludes Sinovac and Sinopharm

The EU vaccination certificate should make traveling easier just in time for the holiday season. For those vaccinated, there are simplifications such as the elimination of quarantine or mandatory testing – but not for everyone. This is because the Chinese vaccines Sinovac and Sinopharm are not recognized in the certificate, as the EMA approval is missing. However, EU states can additionally individually recognize the Chinese vaccines. This creates a patchwork for travelers.

By Amelie Richter

Growing doubts about Orbán's soft line approach with Beijing

Hungary is undisputedly China's most vocal friend in the EU. Relations go back further than with other Central European states. But now there is trouble over a planned offshoot of Fudan University in Budapest. The project could lead to an – at least temporary – break with the alliance with Beijing. Because elections are coming up in Hungary. And apparently, China is not popular in the Hungarian capital. The outcome of the German elections could also influence developments.

By Amelie Richter