China
Addictive video games + Comac takes off
Dear reader,
The alleged negative effects of violent video games served as a topic in German elections many years ago. Now, the discussion about video games is also raging in China. And the tone is just as fierce. Video games are being shunned as "spiritual opium" and "dirty things". Authorities are now taking action against gambling addiction and late-night gaming. Finn Mayer-Kuckuk explains how the gaming industry is becoming the newest target of the authorities in their fight for more compliance and ethics in business life. To prevent conflicts with state authorities, some companies are now taking proactive action.
Comac is also threatened by disputes. The aircraft manufacturer wants a piece of the pie and aims to compete with the top dogs Boeing and Airbus. Comac is about to receive certification of their first large passenger aircraft manufactured in China – the C919. Our team in Beijing reports on the rapid growth of the Chinese aircraft market. Although Chinese aircraft are not yet cutting edge, large orders from Chinese state-owned airlines are expected to provide the necessary sales. An unfair competition? Perhaps. But Boeing and Airbus also grew with the help of government subsidies – which ultimately led to a years-long trade dispute at the WTO.
I hope you enjoy our latest issue, and I wish you a pleasant weekend
