China
'Meatless meat' popularity grows + Hong Kong financial center favored by Beijing + Pressure against Confucius Institute mounts worldwide
Dear reader,
Devout Buddhists recognized the benefits of vegetarian fish and meat alternatives centuries ago. Now the generation of young and health-conscious Chinese also seems to be rediscovering this age-old tradition. A huge new sales market is presenting itself to foreign companies as well as domestic suppliers and the competition for the best duck made from plant protein and smoked fish made from seitan is in full swing, reports Frank Sieren. And not only do vegetarian gourmets benefit from this; this new nutrition trend also offers several advantages for the state.
Chinese Confucius Institutes are subjected to an ever-increasing global pressure. Accusations range from simple state propaganda to clandestine espionage activities for the CP. Marcel Grzanna reports on how resentment continues to grow in Japan and South Korea. A look at nearby Slovakia shows that factual evidence is losing its relevance. The tone is literally getting rougher.
Chinese authorities have recently taken rather brutal actions against the ride-hailing service Didi Chuxing. This is not an isolated case, as our team of authors in Beijing proves: several Chinese companies have canceled their IPOs in New York due to current pressure. But there is also a beneficiary in this story: Hong Kong.
