The Chinese short video app TikTok has been downloaded three billion times globally. So far, only apps owned by Facebook have been able to reach such high figures. An IPO of its parent company ByteDance is rumored but has not yet been publicly confirmed. However, the competition is not waiting on the sideline. TikTok's biggest competitor is Kuaishou, which has been listed in Hong Kong since February.
By Frank Sieren
Like Central Europe and North America, the People's Republic is currently experiencing extreme weather accompanied by heavy rain. Heatwaves are also threatening the power grid in important cities such as Beijing. Some parts of the country have experienced flooding due to the massive rainfall. Last year, entire villages along the Yangtze River were already flooded. The torrential rainstorms are occurring with increasing frequency.
By Nico Beckert
While many countries are cautiously reopening in light of low Covid figures, China continues to close down its borders. The reason is the rapidly spreading delta variant, which domestic vaccines seem to be less effective against. This has serious impacts on business travelers.
By Redaktion Table
China's pork prices have been dropping since the beginning of the year. This is curbing the inflation rate and providing relief for consumers. The massive build-up of breeding stock around the country is thus showing success. But prices will continue to fluctuate – for which the government attempts at price stabilization are partly to blame.
By Ning Wang
Without Hartmut Heine, there would be no Transrapid in China. He brought political representatives from the People's Republic and German industry to one table. Today, his responsibility is the potential cooperation on yet another project: a European-Chinese Hyperloop, the Transrapid 2.0. Heine knows how difficult it was to get the Transrapid project on track – and explains what lessons we can learn from it today. An interview by Frank Sieren.
By Frank Sieren
China is one of the largest markets for electric vehicles. While sales of new vehicles are booming, the recycling of batteries in the People's Republic is still underdeveloped. Many batteries disappear into illegal channels, important raw materials are lost. Experts see a discrepancy between regulations and reality. Green e-mobility has a sustainability problem.
By Nico Beckert
Just four years ago, Evergrande founder Xu Jiayin was China's richest man for a time. But the real estate conglomerate's mountain of debt keeps growing. Beijing has urged Xu to resolve these problems quickly. But banks and rating agencies are shaking their heads.
By Redaktion Table
A little over a year after the security law was passed, Hong Kong's future has never been more uncertain. The US is warning foreign companies about arbitrary government action, courts obstruct trials of imprisoned opposition, young people are suspected of planning bomb attacks, and thousands are turning their backs on the city and moving abroad. Quo vadis, Hong Kong?
By Marcel Grzanna
Chinese scientists are making rapid progress in the field of laser technology. A beam containing 10,000 times more energy than all the world's power grids combined could create matter and antimatter and help physicists understand the origin of the universe. Another research project has developed a laser technique that can identify hidden objects more than a kilometer away. The technology could bring important advances to autonomous driving.
By Frank Sieren
The EU is getting serious about the Green Deal. The CO2 border adjustment and the expansion of emissions trading, both part of the "Fit for 55" package, are intended to help achieve Brussels' climate goals. Above all, the border adjustment for CO2 emissions will have consequences for the People's Republic of China. Critics from the European metal and aluminium industry are already certain: the People's Republic will find a way around the border adjustment.
By Amelie Richter
