China
Interview with Michael Schaefer + Industrialists in a donation frenzy
Dear reader,
In China, big companies are outdoing each other with big donations right now. Alibaba set the bar with the equivalent of 13 billion euros – two-thirds of its last annual profit. Our team in Beijing has been investigating whether the money is really benefiting "general prosperity," as state and party head Xi Jinping has recently pressed for. Perhaps the philanthropic generosity also serves as an effective strategy to dampen the party leadership's ire toward billionaires and large corporations?
Michael Schaefer, former ambassador to China, regards civil society relations with China with concern and hope. Concern, because the channels of communication have narrowed considerably, even though dialogue is crucial right now. Hope, because there are still access points. In Monday's interview with China.Table, he explains how these may be accessed. Schaefer, meanwhile, warns against the idea that China will yet become a democracy along Western lines. He nevertheless calls for respectful dialogue at eye level. There is simply no alternative.
The IAA Mobility trade show starts today in Munich. So this week, we take another look at various car trends.
