During three hours of talks in Beijing with Xi Jinping, EU Council President Charles Michel addresses the current protests as well as the war in Ukraine but achieves few concrete concessions. Xi, on the other hand, does not want to see any "real strategic conflicts or differences".
By Amelie Richter
Due to idle nuclear power plants in France, 60 percent of citizens there have to reckon with hours of power outages in winter. For Germany, according to a new extreme scenario, it will be of "utmost importance" to supply gas-fired power plants with fuel even in the event of a gas shortage.
By Redaktion Table
During three hours of talks in Beijing with Xi Jinping, EU Council President Charles Michel addresses the current protests as well as the war in Ukraine, but achieves few concrete concessions. Xi, on the other hand, does not want to see any “real strategic conflicts or differences”. Ultimately, it only reveals how deep the rift between the EU and China currently is.
By Amelie Richter
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has formulated his own China strategy. The 100-page document is a clear departure from the course of his predecessors. It follows the line of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, but certainly not that of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Habeck also causes uproar with a comment on Taiwan.
By Redaktion Table
Beijing avoids openly addressing the protests over the weekend. The central government passes the buck to local authorities. At least some restrictions are now being lifted. The next phase of the opening could be initiated by the People's Congress in March.
By Redaktion Table
In the dispute over the rule of law, the EU Commission recommends freezing more than €13 billion. Now the ball is in the Ecofin Council's court. However, not everyone there is in a hurry. At stake is the Union's credibility, but also its ability to act.
By Eric Bonse
Despite the renaissance of fossil fuels at COP27, IEA chief Fatih Birol sees strong momentum for the global energy transition. Birol predicts a peak in gas consumption soon. But the 1.5-degree target will require trillions in investment. He advises Germany not to venture into fracking.
By Alexandra Endres
Emissions from maritime shipping will be covered by European emissions trading in the future - a historic step. The EU Commission also presents first proposals on how it intends to certify carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere. This has been met with some considerable criticism.
By Lukas Knigge
The legislative reform on packaging waste presented yesterday imposes high requirements on producers and member states for the reuse of packaging material. The Commission neglects the value of recycling, as the industry criticizes.
By Charlotte Wirth
Jiang Zemin had gained cult status in recent years, especially among China's young Internet users. The toad, as they fondly called him, represents for them a self-ironic, cosmopolitan China that has been lost under his successors Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping.
By Fabian Peltsch
