CHINA AND THE WORLD

When it comes to the interest of German car makers, the German Economic Minister seems to forget a simple economic rule: first come, first served.

Despite Joe Biden's election as US president, tensions and intense rivalry between the US and China are likely to persist in the coming years. Given this environment, what are the prospects for Europe as it seeks to uphold the multilateral, rules-based system? 

In the first of two articles addressing the relationship between China and the World Health Organization, an issue getting a great deal of attention in the midst of COVID-19, Qian Gang looks at the involvement of Chinese health professionals in the organization’s origins.

As China reveled in its “victory” over COVID-19, internet users in the country seemed to relish finding fault with the rest of the world – and Europe was no exception.

China’s grand plan for industrial restructuring caused concern in Europe following its announcement in 2015. Liang Shixin reviews the policy and its development, and notes signs to look for.

Multilateralism has been central to pledges for future European-Chinese cooperation, particularly as the US has opted out of multilateral institutions. But look more closely and you find that the EU and China have sharply contrasting notions of what multilateralism actually means.

China has clearly announced its intention to develop “new think tanks” that can bolster its global influence. What does this mean for Europe and the rest of the world?

In China, the world's largest contract electronics maker, Taiwan's Foxconn, has long been synonymous with worker exploitation and the heartlessness of low-wage manufacturing. In the Czech Republic, the company presents another face – which may reveal just how much national contexts make a difference. 

As popular western social media platforms remain inaccessible in mainland China, Chinese social media platforms have become an important way for universities in the UK to reach out to their largest source of foreign students.