China's outbound direct investment grew steadily in 2021 despite Covid and political tensions. However, the targets have changed: China is no longer buying up existing companies. It now focuses on developing its own sites. In addition, less politically sensitive sectors such as consumer goods, entertainment and services are attracting ongoing interest from Chinese investors.
By Frank Sieren
New LNG imports to Europe could lead to other countries being priced out of the market. These are emerging countries that would no longer be able to compete with Europe on price, says Andreas Goldthau in an interview with Charlotte Wirth.
By Charlotte Wirth
The regulation of artificial intelligence was one of the priorities of the Slovenian Council Presidency. At the end of November, it published a first compromise draft. Now the French have drawn up their own proposals. Among other things, they are calling for users of high-risk AI systems to be given information about the systems' mechanisms.
By Jasmin Kohl
This week at the Winter Games, American-born Eileen Gu, two figure skaters, and a dozen or so Canadian and American ice hockey players will compete for China for the first time. Gu could take the first gold for China on Tuesday in the big air discipline. Just before the Olympics began, however, a debate erupted over her citizenship. Have Gu and the others been allowed to keep their old passports? Dual citizenship does not exist in China.
By Christiane Kuehl
China wants to shine at the Olympic Games – organizationally, but of course also athletically. Winning medals is on the agenda. To make this happen, Michael Brunner has been hired for the task. The former World Cup skier was supposed to find alpine medal contenders in China and whip them into Olympic shape: In today's interview, Michael Radunski speaks with Brunner about how elegant dancers are transformed into fast skiers and how China's officials ensure that their muscles are sore in the morning.
By Michael Radunski
Vladimir Putin is the special guest at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing. He is the first head of state to meet Xi Jinping in person in almost two years. The two are forging far-reaching plans that also involve Ukraine. The fact that the two authoritarian states are moving closer together is also the fault of the West.
By Michael Radunski
EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson is traveling to Azerbaijan today. Despite political scandals in the country, possibilities for increasing gas supplies to Europe are to be explored in Baku. In the search for alternative energy sources, however, the EU's greatest hopes continue to rest on the United States. However, the industry considers it unrealistic to replace pipeline gas with LNG in the short term.
By Eric Bonse
Whether it's connected cars or virtual assistants – until now, manufacturers have often been the only ones with access to the data generated. The EU Commission now wants to change this. In many sectors, however, it remains up to companies to decide whether to share information with others. Unless the government asks.
By Till Hoppe
For Luxembourg's energy minister, the only way out of the current gas price crisis is a package of measures: increasing energy efficiency, expanding renewable energies and diversifying gas sources. He does not see any risk that the current crisis situation will push the climate issue into the background. Demand for gas will continue to fall, says Turmes in the interview.
By Charlotte Wirth
Enthusiasm for ice and snow sports is growing across China. The government hopes that the Winter Games will help create a massive new industry.
By Redaktion Table
