Table.Briefings

Feature

Sanctions from Beijing cause CAI to waver

The sanctions against European politicians, scientists and organizations represent a fierce diplomatic escalation between Brussels and Beijing. China's behavior calls the EU's previous strategy into question. This is also to be a topic at the summit of EU heads of state and government this week. A meeting of the EU Parliament's CAI monitoring group has been canceled because of the sanctions – China's sanctions strike is causing a massive shake-up in the agreement.

By Amelie Richter

Foreign banks expand China exposure

As the financial markets continue to open up, the stakes and investments of foreign banks in China are growing. American banks, in particular, are pumping more money into China than ever before. The big US players are also targeting the growing middle class. On the one hand, China will not leave control of the country's financial markets entirely to market forces. On the other hand, American money creates security against Washington's political escapades.

By Frank Sieren

China's banks reduce risks

China has been home to the world's largest banks for several years. Time and again, there are warnings of excessive debt and an accumulation of bad loans. While Beijing has recently been criticized from within its own ranks, the US rating agency Fitch has given the all-clear. China has made significant progress in eliminating risks in recent years.

By Redaktion Table

Biden's aggressive China course

The summit in Alaska could hardly have got off to a worse start. In an astonishingly aggressive manner – and on camera – both sides hurled their differing views at each other. Did Washington deliberately provoke the scandal? Some things point to that.

By Felix Lee

Foundations and NGOs: concern about CAI sales

In the annexes to the investment agreement between the EU and China, there is also a paragraph dealing with NGOs in the People's Republic. The fact that such a passage can be found in the CAI comes as a surprise to politicians and those affected. Not only is it similar to the already strict NGO law of 2017, but China also reserves the right to fill leading positions with Chinese. There is also criticism of the fact that foreign investment for non-profit projects in China is still prohibited. For more on the impact of the agreement on German and European market participants, see our China.Table analyses on the CAI.

By Amelie Richter

Oppo: smartphone market leader

For the first time, Huawei has had to cede its smartphone pole position in China to rival Oppo. The company from Guangzhou has been one of the five largest smartphone manufacturers in the world since last year. However, Oppo hasn't managed to do that entirely on its own. US sanctions against Huawei have helped. While Huawei is trying to open up new markets beyond smartphones, Oppo now wants to gain a foothold in Germany.

By Frank Sieren

Hong Kong: less democracy, more IPOs

In Hong Kong, companies raised more money in IPOs in 2020 than at any time in a decade. A large proportion of the companies are from mainland China. Unlike the democracy campaigners, they see no danger in the new security law.

By Redaktion Table

Tense atmosphere in Alaska

The first high-level face-to-face meeting between representatives of the new American government and representatives of the Chinese government and the Communist Party at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage has begun tense, as expected. Observers spoke of an icy and irritable atmosphere on the first of two days, casting doubt on whether a meeting between the two presidents, which had been brought into play by the Chinese side in the spring, would materialize.

By Frank Sieren

Joint lunar base with Russia

China's plans for a lunar base have found a strong and experienced partner in Russia. The fact that the Russians have opted for the Chinese and not the American Artemis lunar base program is a sign of global politics. At the same time, the US could find itself without a manned base in space for the first time in 2024 because of its own legislation.

By Redaktion Table