After their opinion piece in the NZZ about their Xinjiang trip, sinologists Thomas Heberer and Helwig Schmidt-Glintzer attempted to explain themselves. However, that failed to convince other sinologists. Many see contradiction in the attempted justification instead of credible arguments.
By Marcel Grzanna
Fit for enlargement: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Parliament and parts of the German government are pushing for serious discussions on institutional changes. An expert report provides arguments in favor of this.
By Till Hoppe
Who started minimizing risks? China did, argues the EU Chamber of Commerce in Beijing. The position paper of the business representative body complains that the will to cooperate with the European economy has reached a new low.
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Ukraine has filed a complaint against Poland, Slovakia and Hungary with the World Trade Organization in the dispute over imports of Ukrainian agricultural products into the EU. Poland is threatening consequences, and the EU is debating new routes.
By Claire Stam
A new draft law aims to criminalize wearing clothes that hurt the "feelings of the Chinese nation." The outrage in the social networks is enormous. And even a state newspaper is criticizing it.
By Jörn Petring
The tenth session of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) will be held in Panama in November. The focus will be on stricter regulation of e-cigarettes and other alternative tobacco products. The EU is currently defining its negotiating position.
By Markus Grabitz
Beijing presents a plan to integrate Taiwan into the People's Republic. Simultaneously, about a hundred warships and fighter jets are dispatched towards the island. In an interview conducted by Michael Radunski, Josie-Marie Perkuhn explains how Taiwan reacts to this situation with a certain resilience and what lies behind its behavior. The sinologist believes that war is not imminent – instead, Beijing resorts to far more subtle measures.
By Michael Radunski
On Sept. 30, Slovaks will prematurely elect a new parliament. The previous political leadership in Bratislava stood firmly on the side of neighboring Ukraine. This could change in the event of a conceivable comeback by former Prime Minister Fico.
By Till Hoppe
The ousting of China's minister of defense seems to fit seamlessly into a series of high-level purges. Again, sources report house arrest and allegations of corruption. However, Li Shangfu was considered a confidant of Xi Jinping. Is this a sign of the autocrat's paranoia, or is Xi under pressure? At the very least, Xi's internal reputation is dented.
By Michael Radunski
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un display friendship and unity – without China. Both aim to reduce their dependence on Beijing. And each needs precisely what the other has. Together with China, the three countries form an anti-Western bloc. But their interests do not coincide.
By Christiane Kuehl
