Table.Briefings

Feature

Action plan for climate action

China wants to become carbon neutral by 2060 and reduce its emissions from 2030 at the latest. The 14th Five-Year Plan must contain the first concrete measures to achieve this. The announced draft gives the topic a lot of space, but details are available only in the plan itself.

By Christiane Kuehl

China's unaffordable housing market

In China, too, there is hardly a political topic as emotionally discussed as the high housing and rental prices. The new Five-Year Plan addresses the issue and promises more affordable housing. Despite rapidly rising prices, the burst of a bubble is considered unlikely. Beijing is too worried that social unrest could occur in such a case.

By Redaktion Table

Gaming market grows despite government restrictions

The US gaming platform Steam was launched in China a few weeks ago. With a dramatically slimmed-down supply. Although China has the largest market and the world's largest gaming company, the hobby is unpopular with the authorities and subject to a variety of restrictions. Foreign companies, meanwhile, run afoul of their Western buyers when they bend to Chinese regulations and restrict gamers' freedom of expression.

By Redaktion Table

Beijing's 'silver hair economy'

Many older Chinese feel left behind by the country's rapid digitization. China's government wants to close the "digital divide" between young and older people by 2022. This means more social integration, but also more consumption – and thus follows the logic of the 14th Five-Year Plan. For companies, at any rate, the target group of senior citizens is a long underestimated growth market.

By Frank Sieren

Five-Year Plan 2021: No offer of friendship to the EU

In its 14th Five-Year Plan, Beijing clarifies: Foreign actions regarding Hong Kong and Taiwan are not desired. Brussels expects protectionist guidelines but also recognizes fields for possible cooperation. A progress report by EU foreign affairs envoy Josep Borrell on relations with China is expected for the EU Council meeting at the end of this month.

By Amelie Richter

Hong Kong: Domestic security spending increased drastically

The city has an additional €850 million at its disposal from an unnamed source to enforce the new security law. What the money will be used for became clear on Monday when a large police contingent accompanied the hearing of 47 opposition members in Hong Kong.

By Marcel Grzanna

14th Five-Year Plan: More independence from the West

With its 14th Five-Year Plan, China aims for more independence from foreign countries and at the same time attempts to open its markets more; it wants to invest more and at the same time save more. What sounds contradictory has a method and brings opportunities for Germany and Europe.

By Frank Sieren

China creates new technology giant

There are many indications of a new technology giant emerging in China. The merger of two giant state-owned enterprises is expected to reduce dependence on the US, Japan and Taiwan for chips, surveillance and military technology. Among other things, CETC and Potevio supply the security forces with drones or AI cameras and dominate the production of semiconductors.

By

China-Italy relationship: Draghi and the dragon

Italy has recently been considered an unsteady partner – not only for Brussels but also in Beijing. With regard to China, the government in Rome has undergone a 180-degree turnaround in just two years: At the end of 2018, the relationship was relatively close, then a "transatlantic conversion" took place, which is now being continued by Draghi. This is also affecting the implementation of BRI projects. In this series, China.Table reports on the relations of all EU member states with China.

By Amelie Richter

China eradicates poverty – not completely

Even if the World Bank now applies a different standard to China and poverty in the most populous country is still far from being overcome, the Chinese leadership has achieved a great deal in the fight against poverty. The goal of urbanizing the rural population is now to give way to revitalizing rural regions.

By Felix Lee