During three hours of talks in Beijing with Xi Jinping, EU Council President Charles Michel addresses the current protests as well as the war in Ukraine but achieves few concrete concessions. Xi, on the other hand, does not want to see any "real strategic conflicts or differences".
By Amelie Richter
Amid protests against zero-Covid, the EU Council chief travels to China. The timing for the first personal handshake in years is problematic. For President Xi, however, the photo opportunity comes at just the right time, as the EU-US dialogue on China is being held in Washington at almost the same time. For Michel, however, a "mission impossible" awaits him in China.
By Amelie Richter
When it comes to solar technology, the world is dependent on supplies from China. But in the West, there are debates about human rights violations along the supply chain. The People's Republic now reacts by planning its own "clean" supply chains for exports. The West would still receive solar technology with a clear conscience but would remain dependent.
By Nico Beckert
Three texts were highly controversial until the end of the negotiations. In the early hours of Sunday morning, negotiators agreed on a fund for damages and losses, a roadmap for greenhouse gas mitigation, and the COP27 policy framework decision.
By Lukas Knigge
A climate summit cannot solve everything, and some issues remained unresolved at this year's COP27. Four things to keep an eye on in the coming year.
By Redaktion Table
At COP27, geopolitics overshadowed the climate – but in a different way than previously feared. Wars were hardly a topic, but China's role was all the more important. Which alliances were forged, who drove the conference forward, who prevented progress – an overview.
By Redaktion Table
Expectations were high when China's climate envoy made a surprise appearance at a plenary session of the Global Methane Pledge. But the largest methane emitter did not sign the Pledge. A year after Glasgow, there are still many gaps in efforts to reduce methane emissions.
By Nico Beckert
