China.Table

Feature

Jensen: 'Genocide' in Xinjiang

More and more reports of serious human rights violations in the autonomous Chinese province of Xinjiang raise the question: Is the term "genocide" appropriate here? FDP politician Gyde Jensen is Chairwoman of the Human Rights Committee in the German Bundestag and says: This is a genocide, all conditions are fulfilled. The Canadian parliament also decides almost unanimously in favor of the controversial definition.

By Marcel Grzanna

Artificial intelligence instead of cash registers

The Deutsche Bahn is testing a staff-free mini-market in Renningen – but the German vision of the future still seems very simple compared to Chinese projects. Hema has already proven itself. A Chinese entrepreneur is shaking up the US market for cashier-free stores. The much-praised startup Bingobox, on the other hand, is now bankrupt.

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The tobacco dilemma

Smoking is deeply embedded in China's culture. A new study now calls for increasing cigarette prices to reduce tobacco consumption. But previous government measures not only often lacked enforcement. There is also the question of motivation. After all, the state-owned tobacco company, the world's largest producer, reaps vast profits as a monopolist – to the benefit of the public purse.

By Redaktion Table

Tech unicorns: IPO likes to be in Shanghai

Chinese technology companies want to go public again in 2021. Instead of New York, however, AI companies in particular will probably choose Shanghai. They are controversial in the US because of their facial recognition technology. IPOs of Didi Chuxing or parts of TikTok's parent company Bytedance are also possible.

By Christiane Kuehl

Forced labor: Solar industry in focus

After years of debate, there is now a draft of a German supply chain law. This will also have an impact on companies with suppliers in Xinjiang: The German solar industry purchases solar modules that are very likely to contain primary products from the province that were manufactured using forced labor. The law hits the industry at an inopportune time. After years of stagnation, some manufacturers want to invest in production facilities again. But controlling suppliers in Xinjiang is difficult to implement, so they might have to rely on more expensive other suppliers.

By Nico Beckert

Hong Kong: New blow against opposition

Beijing wants to strengthen its influence over high-ranking personnel in Hong Kong with a controversial electoral reform. It wants to cut the ground from under the remaining opposition forces in the city and place "true patriots" in all public offices.

By Marcel Grzanna

Party mission: scoring goals!

China's President Xi Jinping is considered a big football fan. Since he took office, football has been promoted in schools. But the fame of Chinese footballers has so far failed to materialize. Meanwhile, foreign clubs like FC Bayern are profiting enormously from the enthusiasm of Chinese fans.

By Redaktion Table

China learns to ski

With the 2022 Winter Olympics, Beijing wants to boost tourism and expand infrastructure. Manufacturers of winter sports equipment from the Alpine region sense the opportunity of the century. China could become one of the leading skiing nations in terms of numbers as early as next year. Beijing is hoping for a growth spurt for structurally weak areas – and the Alps for more Chinese tourists who have already learned to ski at home.

By Frank Sieren

Marriage and family: a discontinued model

Even a state-imposed 30-day cooling-off period will not reduce the high divorce rates in China. Young people, in particular, no longer see the vow for a lifetime as necessary for financial security. Women are increasingly skeptical about the concept of family. The loss of prestige of marriage is increasingly becoming a problem for the Chinese government.

By Ning Wang

VW's most delicate plant

Since 2013, Volkswagen has been operating a plant with its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC in the conflict-ridden western province of Xinjiang. VW cannot be accused of forced labor. Volkswagen's group works council tells China.Table: By evidence of this, it would intervene.

By Felix Lee