Vice Premier Liu He is considered a confidant of China's President Xi Jinping and his chief economic advisors. The 70-year-old pushes for a greater market economy and stronger internationalization, and even gains the attention of foreign stock exchanges in the process. The incumbent Premier Li Keqiang is left out in the cold. Could Xi have big plans for Liu?
By Frank Sieren
Madrid and Lisbon are proposing to Brussels to cap the price of gas at €30 in order to halve the price of electricity. This is a temporary special measure for the two countries, which are poorly connected to the European energy network and do not rely on Russian gas.
By Isabel Cuesta Camacho
In Brussels, 50-year-old EU Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi almost exclusively pushes the agenda of his mentor, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
By Stephan Israel
Foreign companies in China are feeling the increasing brunt of the country's harsh Covid measures. Supply chains are disrupted, and logistics are not working. And in many places, no one can get to work anymore. Despite all the acceptance for the fight against Omicron, companies call for more transparency and plannability.
By Christiane Kuehl
China is unable to deal with its methane emissions. The country's coal sector in particular emits enormous amounts of this gas, which is even more harmful to the climate than CO2. Politicians currently have other priorities than tackling this problem. Yet, by managing the gas more efficiently, plants could even use it as an additional source of energy.
By Ning Wang
Budget Commissioner Hahn confirms use of rule of law mechanism. The focus is on public procurement. There is also a dispute about the sanctions against Russia.
By Eric Bonse
The EU Commission wants to oblige industry to reduce its emissions and do its part to make Europe a climate-neutral economy. The use of fluorinated greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances is also to be more strictly regulated.
By Lukas Knigge
In the wake of the Bucha atrocities, the EU Commission is proposing to ban imports of Russian hard coal. An oil embargo is also being considered – but here Germany still has reservations.
By Till Hoppe
The data retention of connection data for all mobile connections and location data, which has been controversial for years, once again had to be decided by the European Court of Justice. The ECJ judges further specified why general data retention is impermissible – but at the same time they opened up some major loopholes.
By Falk Steiner
The lockdown in Shanghai has been extended indefinitely. "Shanghai's streets are completely deserted for the first time. A frightening scene," says Zhang Xinran. The 28-year-old employee of an advertising agency describes chaotic conditions inside housing complexes, but also explains that the population continues to support the government's zero-covid policy. China.Table shares her insights below.
By Redaktion Table
