With the new brand Zeekr, the car company Geely wants to roll up the premium segment for EVs. The first model, which is to be launched in China in September, was presented at the Shanghai auto show. And there are big plans: International expansion, including to Europe, is planned for the coming year, as is its own IPO. In 2015, the manufacturer had already failed once with Geely Blue. Can Geely now implement its plans with Zeekr?
By Frank Sieren
At the end of May, the newly elected Tibetan government-in-exile will take office. In an interview with China.Table, the Dalai Lama's former special envoy, Kelsang Gyaltsen, explains the challenges facing the Tibetans. He notes a growing distancing of the world. The Tibetans also place hope in cooperation with the Uyghurs.
By Marcel Grzanna
Xi Jinping will attend Joe Biden's climate summit starting today. China wants to become climate neutral by 2060, but its climate record so far is very contradictory. While Beijing is investing heavily in renewable energy, it is also spending heavily on heavy industry. At the climate summit, Xi is expected to commit to a more ambitious climate strategy.
By Christiane Kuehl
Wolfgang Egger is one of the world's leading car designers. He has developed the Q7 SUV for Audi, the R8 sports car, and the first Audi E-tron concept. At Alfa Romeo, he was responsible for the design of the 8C Competizione, among other things. That could have been enough – but it wasn't enough for him. Now, in his late fifties, Egger is "in the middle of by far the most exciting task of my life," as he says. Since 2016, he has been chief designer at the southern Chinese manufacturer BYD. At the Shanghai auto show, Egger unveiled BYD's new EA-1 compact car, which is designed to rival Volkswagen's ID3, for example. A conversation about iconic compact cars, Chinese design, and what makes working in the People's Republic different from working in Europe.
By Frank Sieren
The protected domestic market is an ideal growth and innovation environment for Chinese firms. When they enter the global market, they have massive advantages, warn think tank ECFR and Rhodium Group in a joint study. Sectors such as solar, rail networks, and telecommunications are particularly threatened by Chinese competition. In the paper, the analysts point out concrete solutions on how the EU Commission can act against China's home advantage.
By Amelie Richter
A flying taxi can be seen at Auto Shanghai for the first time. And it is, of all things, a German product from the company Volocopter. The vehicle is presented by the Chinese car company Geely, which has invested in the German start-up. It may well be that people will soon get used to seeing air taxis at car shows. Because last week, the Chinese aviation regulator began the approval process for the everyday operation of flying taxis.
By Frank Sieren
China's market for e-cigarettes has grown rapidly in recent years. However, the gold-rush mood could soon be over: Beijing is planning to regulate the domestic market. Companies like Relx are also encountering difficulties abroad. The industry is facing sweeping change.
By Ning Wang
With around 1000 exhibitors, the "Auto Shanghai" is the largest car show in the world. German suppliers present their new electric cars in elaborate shows, with which they want to come out of the defensive. Many models have been specially designed or adapted for the Chinese market.
By Frank Sieren
For years, several federal ministries have been arguing about the content of the expanded IT security law. The bone of contention is the Chinese network supplier Huawei, which is currently facing espionage allegations from Holland. Now the coalition factions have changed the government's draft. But experts have doubts about the effectiveness of the law.
By Marcel Grzanna
At the end of December 2020, France's head of state, Emmanuel Macron, was at the virtual table when the investment agreement between the EU and China was being finalized – he wants to wrap up the deal in early 2022, during France's presidency of the EU Council. However, according to experts, the plan could backfire. The agreement is increasingly unpopular among French MEPs – and the French presidential elections are coming up. China.Table today takes a look at relations between Paris and Beijing, and you can find more country profiles online.
By Amelie Richter
