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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's) are hit heavier by Covid visa regulations than by sanctions between the EU and China, says Christian Sommer, head of the German Centre in Shanghai. Sanctions are of no use, he says, and decoupling does not make sense. Despite all this, China is still dependent on the presence of foreign companies and their employees. But there is no point in forcing Europe to choose between China and the USA. The German Centre is a positive example of how government and business can work together, says Sommer in an interview with Frank Sieren.
By Frank Sieren
Hong Kong's National Security Act is not only of political nature, it offers Chinese companies concrete advantages over Western competitors. State-owned enterprises can invoke national interests in the event of a dispute. With this Hong Kong is finally losing its status as an oasis of the rule of law, warns Dennis Kwok. Kwok was an MP for the pro-democracy Civic Party and now lives in exile.
By Redaktion Table
The Chinese Communist Party's economic record is historically mixed. To be sure, its greatest strength is mobilizing resources to invest in public goods. And China has made great strides economically and socially in recent decades. But historical blunders show that the CCP's interventions can also have disastrous consequences.
By Redaktion Table
The work ethic of young Chinese is becoming a source of conflict between generations. Instead of working enthusiastically for a supposedly better future, they are more resigned than their parents. The reason: In view of the great inequality of opportunity, they no longer feel that their efforts are worthwhile. This also influences the plan to become technology leaders as quickly as possible.
By Ning Wang
For nearly 100 years, the Communist Party's United Front has sought to rally nonmembers to the party line and keep overseas Chinese under control. Its role as a string-puller in other countries, where it influences perceptions of Chinese politics through close networks of relationships with influential figures, is still completely underestimated. Sometimes foreigners do not even know they are providing valuable services to the United Front.
By Marcel Grzanna
For years, the Chinese government has been working hard to erase the memories of the Tiananmen massacre from the population, using censorship and the coercion of activists. The campaign against remembrance has now reached Hong Kong, where hundreds of thousands used to gather for the annual vigil. Hong Kong teachers face punishment for teaching the background and details of the bloody events. Dissidents warn of a history distortion in the West as well.
By Marcel Grzanna