When Wolfgang Niedermark speaks about China, regret echoes in his voice. Since October 2020, the 56-year-old German has been a member of the Executive Board of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). In both his professional and private life, he has witnessed China’s economic prowess, cultural diversity, and social dynamism on the ground over many […]
Chinese sanctions have prompted Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis to call on all democratic nations to stand united against “global order disruptors” such as China and Russia. One day before the meeting of the Quad countries Australia, Japan, India and the United States, Landsbergis spoke in the Australian capital Canberra, saying that human rights violations […]
“Principles cost something,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis during a visit to Australia. And his state is leading by example. Lithuania accepts paying a high economic price for not letting Beijing dictate its strategic decisions. This is precisely what the government in Vilnius is aiming for when it strengthens diplomatic relations with the island […]
The artificial snow on the hills of Yanqing and Zhangjiakou is emblematic of the discussion about the sustainability of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Amidst barren brown landscapes, slopes and trails shine like a network of laser beams in the pitch black. Beijing may not be the first host city to create snow in winter, […]
Shortly after her first Olympic event, Dinigeer Yilamujiang broke the organizers’ strict protocol. Against her obligation, she did not show up in the so-called mixed zone. Journalists from all over the world wait there to get a chance to ask the athletes for an interview. Those who don’t wish to talk to reporters don’t have […]
For the time being, the last chapter in the dark tale of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has been written. Not by her personally, but by Wang Kan, the chief of staff of the Chinese Olympic Committee. Wang had taken on the role of translator when Peng met with journalists from the French sports newspaper […]
More than a dozen of the world’s leading industrialized and democratic governments have decided not to send government officials or diplomats to Beijing. Some of them are officially calling it a boycott. Others, including the Federal Republic of Germany, avoid the term but will still be absent from the Olympics. More than 250 international non-governmental […]
no, Beijing is certainly not the right place to represent Olympic values. But who cares about that in the IOC, the “prostitute of regimes,” as CDU human rights politician Michael Brand tells us in an interview? The Winter Games, which officially open today in the Chinese capital, may meet with as much rejection as they […]
During the Olympic Games, which officially begin tomorrow, numerous TV stations around the world will inevitably have to rely on pre-produced footage from Chinese state television. Covid regulations for journalists massively restrict their freedom of movement. Media coverage is very difficult under these conditions. That is why the non-governmental organization “Reporters without Borders” (RSF) has […]
Mr. Renn, is the construction of a ski jump in the Chinese province one of the last great adventures of our time?There is some truth to that. But as is the case with many adventures, they are extremely exciting at first, but after a while everything becomes normal. In the end, it’s a task that […]
