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According to Harvard University, 93 percent of the Chinese population is satisfied with the work of their central government. But figures of social-science studies in an authoritarian-ruled country should be taken with a pinch of salt. There are enough reasons to doubt their validity.
By Marcel Grzanna
The increasing number of IPOs of Chinese companies abroad is apparently a thorn in Beijing's side. Officials claim that there is great concern that foreign powers - for example in the US - could access their collected data. It is not yet clear whether the tightened rules are about a power struggle between the state and the private sector, or whether the state is actually committed to protecting its citizens' personal data. It's quite possible that both is true.
By Frank Sieren
Slovenia took over the EU Council presidency at the beginning of July. While the rest of Europe is either at odds with China or striving for particularly good relations, the small country is showing itself to be decidedly relaxed here and is not joining in the polarisation. Far East policy is therefore at the bottom of the agenda, contrary to the trend. Meanwhile criticism of Prime Minister Janša is being voiced in Brussels. He lacks the necessary credibility vis-à-vis Beijing because of weaknesses in the rule of law. France therefore wants to monitor him closely.
By Amelie Richter