German architect Hans-Martin Renn helped build a ski jumping venue in Zhangjiakou, China. A few days before the start of the Olympic Games, he talks to us about conferences with uninformed party cadres, Chinese binge-drinking, and how it feels to help build a winter sports monument for an authoritarian regime. Marcel Grzanna spoke with Renn.
By Marcel Grzanna
China's power sector has gained much attention since last year. On the one hand, the People's Republic launched its emissions trading scheme in the summer, which so far has only covered the power sector. At the same time, the country was hit by a severe power crisis. Many of the causes lie in the sector's outdated structure, which is also hampering China's planned energy transition.
By Christiane Kuehl
Lithium mining in Europe is a cornerstone of climate targets. In the Ore Mountains, mining is scheduled to begin in 2025. However, after a charm offensive in past years, the project has become conspicuously quiet.
By Redaktion Table
In February, a group of experts convened at the request of the EU Commission will present its final report on the social categorization of economic activities. The goal: to provide guidance for investors on sustainable financial products. Like the green taxonomy, the project is fraught with conflict.
By Redaktion Table
At the start of the DSA trilogue, one item, in particular, is on the agenda: defining the main points of contention to be negotiated in the coming weeks. Even if the players seem to be largely in agreement on the broad lines, the differences between the Council's and the Parliament's positions could still take up several days of negotiations.
By Redaktion Table
After six days of voting, parliamentarians re-elect Sergio Mattarella as head of state. While the re-election provides the country with some stability, it highlights Italy's political fragility: The parliamentary groups cannot find suitable candidates for renewal or reach agreements.
By Redaktion Table
Against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis, Brussels and Washington are looking for alternatives to Russian gas. The favorite is liquefied gas from the USA – despite the massive problems with climate protection. In the long term, the entire gas market could be reorganized.
By Redaktion Table
China won 100 medals at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, more than any other country. The People's Republic will certainly not reach the first rank in the medal table this time at this year's Winter Olympics. However, China's athletes have been winning medals in short track and ski freestyle for years. They also have good chances in these disciplines this time. In cross-country skiing, bobsleigh and ski jumping, on the other hand, China is expected to have a hard time. Even the myriad of foreign coaches of the Chinese teams could not change that.
By Christiane Kuehl
China is challenging Europe's decades-long supremacy in technical norms and standards, especially in emerging technologies. The EU Commission now wants to take countermeasures with a new strategy – and is taking its cue from Beijing.
By Till Hoppe
Until 2007, China had no antitrust laws. The legal framework has undergone a dazzling development ever since, says Swiss lawyer Adrian Emch, who has lived in Beijing since 2008. Frank Sieren spoke with Emch.
By Frank Sieren
