
While the EU institutions argued for weeks about the governance structures of the new crisis agency HERA, it has long since begun its work. In the fight against the spread of the highly contagious Omicron virus variant, the agency is taking on its first coordination tasks.
By Eugenie Ankowitsch
Yesterday's EU summit was supposed to be about a coordinated approach by the member states to the pandemic. Yet, some countries are already implementing their own measures. The Commission fears a "fragmentation" of the rules.
By Eugenie Ankowitsch
The emergence of the Omicron variant strengthens Beijing's zero-covid strategy. Of additional concern is a subtype of the Delta variant, which has now led to another lockdown for half a million people in Zhejiang. Hopes for a border opening are thus fading again. Meanwhile, travel to Hong Kong is still possible – but with new rules.
By Ning Wang
China's influence on reshaping global supply chains is growing with the pandemic. Concerned about losing access to key components from foreign countries, the People's Republic is increasingly relying on domestic innovation, manufacturing and demand. For multinationals whose investments or exports to China are considered critical by the Chinese government, it will become harder to do business in China as usual.
By Redaktion Table