Table.Briefings

Feature

China's Social Credit System still lacks transparency and legal certainty

The Social Credit System is to become a defining feature of Beijing's data-based governance. It leads to more transparency about compliance with rules and laws. Breaches of rules but also particularly rule-compliant behavior, will be recorded in publicly accessible databases. German companies are also affected. While some see the system as a regulatory jungle, others use it to better assess Chinese business partners. It remains to be seen in which direction Beijing will develop the system further.

By Nico Beckert

Beijing grabs Jack Ma's media holdings

After the authorities surprisingly canceled the IPO of Alibaba's financial subsidiary Ant Group, the group is threatened with further cuts. According to reports, Beijing wants Alibaba to drastically scale back its media holdings. The independence of the South China Morning Post is in danger.

By Redaktion Table

Science fiction: stories from the future

Science fiction authors from the People's Republic are becoming increasingly popular around the world. The country offers them an ideal breeding ground for futuristic stories. In the meantime, the genre is even receiving official support. This was not always the case, as the genre is constantly on the verge of open social criticism.

By Redaktion Table

Berlin: Beijing's sanctions are 'inappropriate escalation'

Some EU countries are reacting to Beijing's sanctions by summoning their ambassadors – in Berlin, too, there was a meeting with Wu Ken. Meanwhile, resistance to the CAI investment agreement continues to form in the European Parliament: First, the punitive measures against EU parliamentarians must be withdrawn before the agreement can be discussed, emphasize the Greens and Social Democrats. The large EPP group and the EU Commission, however, continue to adhere to CAI and its goal.

By Amelie Richter

Baidu's stock market 'homecoming' causes little enthusiasm

The trade turmoil with the US has created a new trend: the "homecoming" of Chinese corporations to domestic trading venues. Listed in the US, they now go to Shanghai, Shenzhen or Hong Kong. In Baidu's case, however, the willingness to pay is limited. But with Bilibili, the next trading debut is already on the horizon.

By

Foreign banks expand China exposure

As the financial markets continue to open up, the stakes and investments of foreign banks in China are growing. American banks, in particular, are pumping more money into China than ever before. The big US players are also targeting the growing middle class. On the one hand, China will not leave control of the country's financial markets entirely to market forces. On the other hand, American money creates security against Washington's political escapades.

By Frank Sieren

Sanctions from Beijing cause CAI to waver

The sanctions against European politicians, scientists and organizations represent a fierce diplomatic escalation between Brussels and Beijing. China's behavior calls the EU's previous strategy into question. This is also to be a topic at the summit of EU heads of state and government this week. A meeting of the EU Parliament's CAI monitoring group has been canceled because of the sanctions – China's sanctions strike is causing a massive shake-up in the agreement.

By Amelie Richter

Researchers fear consequences for cooperation on genocide study

The study "The Uyghur Genocide" is discredited by the Chinese government as a tissue of lies. Of around 60 contributors, only 33 remained to sign the paper – for fear of Beijing countermeasures. The remaining researchers, including two Germans, come from all over the world and want to set impulses for faster political action.

By Marcel Grzanna

Foundations and NGOs: concern about CAI sales

In the annexes to the investment agreement between the EU and China, there is also a paragraph dealing with NGOs in the People's Republic. The fact that such a passage can be found in the CAI comes as a surprise to politicians and those affected. Not only is it similar to the already strict NGO law of 2017, but China also reserves the right to fill leading positions with Chinese. There is also criticism of the fact that foreign investment for non-profit projects in China is still prohibited. For more on the impact of the agreement on German and European market participants, see our China.Table analyses on the CAI.

By Amelie Richter

Biden's aggressive China course

The summit in Alaska could hardly have got off to a worse start. In an astonishingly aggressive manner – and on camera – both sides hurled their differing views at each other. Did Washington deliberately provoke the scandal? Some things point to that.

By Felix Lee