Liuzhou is teeming with small, colorful electric cars. Models that have often been smiled upon and considered as too simple – but these small electric vehicles are more popular in China than ever before. Mainly because people are able to afford the comparatively inexpensive small electric cars. In this city of millions, however, there are also a number of contributing factors.
By Christiane Kuehl
Time grows short. In the race for technological dominance in the world, citizens of many Western countries already see the People's Republic of China as the victor. Because this leading position simultaneously leads to political strength, North America and Europe should quickly join forces. A report by the Munich Security Conference, jointly prepared by Berlin-based research institute Merics and the US think tank Aspen Strategy Group, analyzes its core tasks necessary for a revitalization of transatlantic relations. The paper clearly shows, that there is much work to be done to make up for the failures of the recent past.
By Marcel Grzanna
The crackdown on ride-hailing service Didi Chuxing by Chinese authorities has had consequences: several Chinese companies have canceled their IPOs in New York. China's government is making the clear statement that it wants more IPOs in Hong Kong instead.
By Redaktion Table
The von der Leyen Commission is massively restructuring digital law. The goal: To make Europe a sovereign player in the global digital world. One legislative act follows the next – coherence is becoming a problem.
By Falk Steiner
A new venture capital wave is on the rise in China: vegetarian meat substitutes. Since Buddhists already perfected meat and fish imitations centuries ago, China is serval steps of other countries in this area. This new food trend also offers several advantages for the government.
By Frank Sieren
Confucius Institutes around the globe are suspected of involvement in propaganda and espionage. In Japan, the Ministry of Education has even launched an official investigation. A fight with critics often take on bizarre forms, as the latest example in Slovakia shows, where the director of one of the institutes surprised with crude remarks.
By Marcel Grzanna
On Wednesday, the EU Commission will present its first major package of climate legislation. The package of measures will have a massive impact on numerous sectors of the economy: The automotive industry fears a premature end to the combustion engine while steel manufacturers fear the end of the allocation of free emission certificates.
By Timo Landenberger
Despite the political confrontation between China and the US, Liang Hua, Chairman of the Board of Huawei, does not expect the world to split into two technological systems. He sees the fight against climate change as a major challenge. "Data centers need to become more power-efficient," Liang said in an interview with Frank Sieren. Huawei wants to score points here, especially with artificial intelligence and renewable energies. In the automotive sector, Huawei aims to become a tech partner, but does not plan own models, Hua said. In Europe, Huawei wants to in particular cooperate with small and medium-sized enterprises in the future.
By Frank Sieren
The US company Starlink, founded by Elon Musk, is currently the leading provider of Internet access via satellite connection. But China is also planning to go on the offensive with the new technology. Tens of thousands of satellites will be launched into orbit over the next few years.
By Redaktion Table
China's foreign policy has so far followed a clear pattern: economic aid is followed by political influence. And then? In Djibouti, Beijing's next step is apparent. The state of the Horn of Africa could serve as a template for many other countries.
By Michael Radunski
