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In a contribution for the news outlet Euronews, Kärcher CEO Hartmut Jenner warned that Germany and Europe are facing a critical combination of economic pressures. The executive calls for a drastic reduction in bureaucracy, firm trade policies towards foreign competitors, and incentives to support industrial competitiveness.
Read article →The Chinese government has denied journalistic accounts regarding an alleged espionage plot targeting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The tech company also clarified the routine nature of its commercial contacts, ruling out leaks of industrial secrets or risks to national security.
Read article →The European Union is introducing a two-euro handling fee on all incoming shipments starting November 1, regardless of their value. The measure, reported by Euronews, adds to the temporary three-euro duty already established in July to counter low-cost imports primarily originating from Chinese e-commerce platforms.
Read article →During the state visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Beijing, Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for opening a new phase in bilateral relations. Economic trade, the European Union's trade deficit, and global stability were at the center of the talks, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
Read article →A joke by footballer Kylian Mbappé about a meme associated with Mao Zedong has sparked strong protests in China. The controversy caused the termination of commercial contracts and the suspension of Spanish league television broadcasts by the Chinese state broadcaster.
Read article →Sanrio, the Hello Kitty company, has concluded its commercial partnership with the Japanese television series Vivant. The decision follows strong criticism in China, where the spy drama was accused by state media and social media users of depicting Chinese agents using brutal torture tactics. Sanrio stated that the content was “inconsistent with the brand's core values”.
Read article →A recent incident involving football star Kylian Mbappé and a negative reaction in China over a meme about Mao Zedong highlights the complexity of digital interactions in the modern era. Sports analyst Igor Mladenovic, interviewed by France 24, interprets the event as a cultural misunderstanding rather than an intentional political provocation.
Read article →French footballer Kylian Mbappé has publicly apologized after making a joke about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The incident led several major Chinese companies to terminate their partnerships with the star player, causing significant commercial repercussions. The athlete expressed “deep respect for the Chinese people and their history” in an attempt to appease the controversy.
Read article →Zhang Yiming, founder of TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is once again the richest person in China with a fortune of 89.4 billion euros. His rise, highlighted by the Hurun Report and reported by Euronews, is attributed primarily to the artificial intelligence boom. This phenomenon reveals a polarized Chinese economy, where the technology sector prospers while real estate and traditional industries struggle.
Read article →The Chinese Communist Party Plenum is currently underway, with the main discussions focusing on President Xi Jinping's firm grip on power. The meeting, which takes place behind closed doors in Beijing, also addresses his prolonged anti-corruption campaign. An analysis by France 24 highlights how these themes are crucial for understanding China's internal dynamics and future political direction.
Read article →Mercedes-Benz has reduced its core profit forecast for 2026, now expecting a stable result of 5.8 billion euros instead of the initially estimated 15% growth. The decision, announced on Tuesday, is linked to difficult market conditions in China and increasing material costs, reflecting a structural crisis in the German automotive sector and causing a drop in the group's shares.
Read article →Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commented on reports about the alleged US encouragement of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for the position of UN Secretary-General. As reported by Ukrainska Pravda, Sybiha ironically commented on the experience of “taking him for coffee” at a 2023 EU summit, when Orbán's absence allowed the start of Ukrainian accession negotiations.
Read article →The European Commission has given its approval to the action plan submitted by Temu to comply with the Union's Digital Services Act (DSA). The decision follows a €200 million fine imposed in May on the Chinese-owned online retailer for violations related to the sale of illegal and unsafe products. Temu has expressed appreciation for the Commission’s constructive engagement.
Read article →Spanish language learning in China has seen significant growth between 2023 and 2025, with a 12.6% increase in enrollments. Despite the boom, the Cervantes Institute reports a severe shortage of qualified teachers to meet the growing demand, highlighting the need to invest in training.
Read article →French football star Kylian Mbappé has lost two major sponsorship contracts in China, with Dongpeng and Mengniu. The termination occurred on Tuesday after the circulation of a video where the player allegedly joked about former leader Mao Zedong, which was deemed offensive to Chinese national sentiment. The companies ended the collaboration citing their zero-tolerance policy.
Read article →China's top Communist Party officials gathered in Beijing for the four-day fifth plenum. Under Xi Jinping's leadership, the goal is to strengthen internal discipline and intensify the anti-corruption campaign, promoting loyalty and effectiveness among cadres. It is a key step for future power structures and the country's challenges.
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