Desmond Shum and his wife Whitney Duan were closely associated with China's top cadres as business people. But then Duan disappeared without a trace; she was one of China's wealthiest women at the time. Fabian Peltsch spoke with Shum about how China's leadership deliberately creates an atmosphere of fear through opacity and what the recent disappearance of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang means for the party apparatus.
By Fabian Peltsch
China is slipping into deflation, the risk of a crippling downward spiral of prices. The main cause is the troubles on the real estate market. However, house construction will stall for a long time, because a giant bubble has burst there. And at the same time, the modernization of industry is not progressing fast enough.
By Felix Lee
The West has neglected space. A strategic mistake, says Niklas Schoernig. Because China is about to replace the United States as the leading power in orbit. Michael Radunski spoke with the conflict researcher about what goals the People's Republic is pursuing and what implications this will have for the international order. Schoernig warns: 'Space has long since become a critical infrastructure.'
By Michael Radunski
Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is planning a German-Chinese university project on Hainan Island. The plans will put the recently presented China strategy to the test. In it, the German government called for tighter restrictions on academic cooperation.
By Tim Gabel
China's real estate buyers do not yet trust the market. Sales are declining. Numerous listed companies are forced to withdraw from the stock markets because no one wants to invest anymore.
By Frank Sieren
Mobile operator 1 1 plans to build a new 5G network entirely without Huawei components. The company is partnering with Japan's Rakuten for this purpose. This shows that it is possible to proceed without relying on the Chinese company. However, for established providers, such a conversion would be very costly.
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The former bastion of press freedom, Hong Kong, has now become a prison for journalists. The authorities have become increasingly ruthless towards critical media outlets. However, all hope is not lost.
By Felix Lee
US climate envoy John Kerry has been given a high-profile and friendly reception during his four-day visit to Beijing. But China makes it clear that constructive talks on climate action are only possible if overall relations are improved. Nothing is yet known about concrete results of Kerry's talks with his counterpart Xie Zhenhua.
By Jörn Petring
Following the publication of the China Strategy, German politicians and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research outlined first ideas on how it can be implemented in the field of research. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) wants to strengthen the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Green Party favors the Berlin China Institute Merics, sanctioned by Beijing. The Research Minister holds out the prospect of stricter funding regulations.
By Tim Gabel
The Chinese economy grew slower than expected in the second quarter. The German industry is already giving up hope that a Chinese boom will pull it back from the crisis. However, China is slowing down at a high level. The government definitely aims to achieve the targeted five percent growth for the entire year.
By Jörn Petring
