Table.Briefings

Feature

Central bank chief Yi reveals details on e-yuan

China continues to expand the usage of its digital central bank currency. With the state-owned e-yuan, Beijing wants to curb the financial power of private companies like Alipay. In the long term, it wants to push the internationalization of the yuan. Central bank chief Yi Gang now revealed the first details of these goals.

By Frank Sieren

Wife of ex-Interpol chief Meng raises serious allegations

Meng Hongwei, China's first Interpol chief, was arrested for corruption three years ago. In an interview, his wife now claims that it was actually all about a power struggle: Her husband had been pushing for change. Beijing responded by arresting him.

By Jörn Petring

Grafik

Is China's booming art market meeting a political demise?

In China, art fairs such as the recent one in Shanghai are once again attracting visitors, although due to Covid restrictions they come almost exclusively from within the country. For years, artworks by renowned foreign artists were considered a safe investment by Chinese collectors. But more and more young collectors are now turning to domestic art – and political developments are causing concern in the industry.

By Ning Wang

Belgium's nuclear debate: withdrawal from the phase-out?

Belgium's nuclear phaseout is actually a done deal. But shortly before the government makes its decision, the fronts within the governing coalition harden – especially the Liberals want to stick to nuclear power. The discussion is an example of how intensely the technology is currently being fought over in many countries in Europe.

By Charlotte Wirth

Markus Pieper: 'We can't afford to be know-it-alls'

As rapporteur for the directive on the expansion of renewable energies, Markus Pieper has taken on one of the most important dossiers in the fight against climate change. In an interview with Timo Landenberger, the CDU MEP explains how the expansion can be accelerated, why it won't work without gas and why ideologies have no place in the energy transition.

By Timo Landenberger

Likely no majority for banning personalized advertising

Risks of a shadow market, not in the sense of the General Data Protection Regulation: At a hearing of the IMCO's Digital Single Market working group, experts put forward arguments against personalized advertising. Nevertheless, no majority for a complete ban is emerging in the committee.

By Redaktion Table

Market prospect EVs

Cars are responsible for a significant portion of CO2 emissions in China, Europe, and the US. New figures show that the market for EVs is growing rapidly. But the growth is not yet enough to meet the sector's climate targets. And while Europe is betting heavily on plug-in hybrids, China sells mostly pure EVs and dominates the market in e-buses. But the climate problem remains.

By Nico Beckert

Patrick Chou, CEO Verkauf von Luxus-Autos

"We live in golden times"

Patrick Chou, 52, has been selling luxury cars in China since 1998. From Bentleys to Porsches, he fulfills all the four-wheeled desires of the super-rich. Chou is convinced that European providers will continue to dominate the market for a long time. In the interview, he explains why many young people are also among his customers and why he is able to collect so much data on his customers in China. Frank Sieren conducted the interview.

By Frank Sieren