News
China, which has been sanctioned by the USA, wants to become more independent of foreign countries in the field of semiconductor technology and is already putting its money where its mouth is. In the past five months alone, it has raised a total of six billion US dollars for new investments in the sector. While China is quick to implement and create capacity, it is technically lagging behind South Korea, the island of Taiwan and the US. The auto industry is watching the semiconductor arms race closely.
By Frank Sieren
The prices for iron ore, metals or crude oil keep rising. China is one of the largest importers and consumers of these raw materials. Many companies pass on the increased prices to their customers. Inflation is rising and small producers are perishing from the price increase. The government is beginning to take countermeasures and is throwing strategic reserves onto the market.
By Christiane Kuehl
China has overtaken the Europeans in constructing the latest generation of nuclear power plants. However, one problem remains: With the current expansion of nuclear energy, the country's uranium reserves will only last for seven to eight years. A new way of extracting uranium from the sea is supposed to provide a remedy. Although it is much more expensive and complex than extraction on land, it is also more environmentally friendly. Chinese physicists are leading the way. The engineers want to start building the first plant in five years.
By Frank Sieren
Climate change is bringing a new region into the focus of geopolitics: the Arctic. Long covered by meters of ice, its raw materials are now arousing desires. China, too, wants to get involved as a major power and incorporate the region as the Polar Silk Road into President Xi Jinping's prestige project. But it won't be quite that easy.
By Michael Radunski