This year will remain of particular significance for relations between Brussels and Beijing: Starting with the political agreement on CAI - and ending with the present trade blockade of Lithuania. A review of the diplomatically challenging year of 2021.
By Amelie Richter
Shirley Leung is one of the last journalists in Hong Kong to report on pro-democracy activities on the ground. As a reporter for the Apple Daily, she experienced the shutdown by Beijing firsthand. She now seeks to prevent the fates of democracy activists from being erased from the collective memory. Fabian Peltsch spoke with Leung.
By Fabian Peltsch
With the decision that there will not be a full-fledged digital ministry, but that the departmental assignments will change, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport is growing. Some European policy responsibilities are also changing hands, most notably the DSA. Other issues remain unresolved going into the new year.
By Falk Steiner
The authority has presented the new guidelines for climate and energy subsidies. For Germany, this means that several sectors can no longer be exempted from the EEG surcharge. Nevertheless, the industry is relieved.
By Till Hoppe
It is seen as a political success for today's German Chancellor Olaf Scholz: The international agreement on a system of minimum taxation, which should also make specific digital taxes superfluous. Today, the EU Commission is presenting the European approach to implementing the system – and could also claim some of the revenue for the EU from it.
By Falk Steiner
China's digital infrastructure and products are growing steadily. For example, the People's Republic wants to catch up in data centers, undersea cables and communications satellites. In his new book, Jonathan Hillman focuses on the digital Silk Road. Unfortunately, the book has a few flaws.
By Nico Beckert
The book "A People Disappears: How we are watching China commit genocide against the Uyghurs" by Philipp Mattheis compiles what is currently known about the situation in Xinjiang. The book will be published in January 2022. China.Table presents the first chapter in advance.
By Redaktion Table
Ning Wang has scoured the book market about the latest China literature for you. Perhaps it will help you find a Christmas present for a Far East fan?
By Ning Wang
At the Environment Council, the responsible ministers and their representatives discussed the progress of the Fit for 55 package at the end of the year. One sticking point in the political exchange of views: the climate social fund. Some member states fear a massive social imbalance, especially in the event of an expansion of emissions trading, and are therefore pushing for greater financial support from Brussels. But where the money for this should come from is still an open point of contention.
By Lukas Knigge
A contradiction is emerging between two green pet projects. The new government wants to expand solar energy on the one hand and enforce human rights in global supply chains on the other. But the solar supply chain is dominated by China. And forced labor appears to be occurring in Xinjiang in the production of the raw material for solar panels. Trade sanctions will hardly solve the problem.
By Nico Beckert
