Following the discovery of the British mutation of the coronavirus in Beijing, starting next week, international schools will be closed and entire neighborhoods sealed off. There will also be mass testing, curfews and strict tracking of infected people in Shijiazhuang. There is little knowledge of protests or resentment against the lockdown just before Chinese New Year, the most important travel period of the year.
By Frank Sieren
A good three weeks after the fast agreement on the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment with China (CAI), at least parts of the text will be published for the first time today. It is unclear whether the relevant annexes to the agreement will also be published. There is already criticism of the deal even before its publication. Experts see it as a masterpiece of Chinese negotiating skills.
By Redaktion Table
Portugal will hold the EU Council presidency until mid-2021. President Costa is in favor of the investment agreement with China. His country has had good experiences with Chinese investments. There is criticism of Portugal's granting of golden visas.
By Amelie Richter
Sigmar Gabriel praises the EU for the investment agreement with China on the occasion of the inauguration of the new US President. It is a sovereign signal to America: "We are not for free," he says. Decoupling China, warns the Chairman of the Atlantic Bridge, would be a "massive self-harm" for Europe.
By Felix Lee
One lesson from the Covid crisis for Beijing is about more automation. The robotics industry is growing rapidly. German exporters are still benefiting, but China is investing heavily in its robot production. The consequence of automation could be a rise in unemployment.
By Frank Sieren
The electronics group Foxconn enters the field of electric mobility. In cooperation with the electric start-up Byton and China's largest private carmaker Geely, the Taiwanese company wants to build vehicles and develop system solutions.
By Christiane Kuehl
China's economic growth will pick up speed in 2021. Experts expect the government's new five-year plan to provide incentives for investment, including for foreigners. The focus will be on smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, smart mobility and renewable energies. Beijing also focuses on research cooperation.
By Redaktion Table
Beijing presented a data protection law based on the regulatory principles of the EU. Citizens are to be given more rights vis-à-vis companies. The state, on the other hand, will not relinquish its privileges in data protection.
By Frank Sieren
Three candidates for the office of CDU chairman and their stance on China policy: Armin Laschet stands for continuity and "change through trade," Friedrich Merz focuses on a consistent China strategy for Europe, and Norbert Roettgen is expected to be clearly critical of the leadership in Beijing.
By Redaktion Table
European companies in China hardly feel the effects of an often called-for decoupling of international supply chains, despite the debates about supply bottlenecks in the pandemic. On the contrary, according to a survey by the EU Chamber of Commerce in China and Merics, companies are continuing to expand their investments.
By Redaktion Table
