Last week, I had coffee with a university teacher from Shanghai. She showed up carrying a book called  How AI Is Changing Education , written by a Chinese professor.   "We all have to take AI training now.   Even literature teachers like me!" That got me thinking.   China is going all-in on AI —not just in tech labs, but in classrooms, government offices, and factories. Meanwhile, I keep reading a lot of news:   both China and the United States are spending huge sums to attract AI talent and to teach coding in elementary schools. That made me think. Who will win the AI race? (Sorry, my fellow Germans, it probably will not be Europe 🙂) Four Reasons China Could Pull Ahead Whole of nation focus.  Beijing treats AI as strategic. It funds chips, data centers and mandatory AI training for teachers and officials, creating a single push from classrooms to supercomputers.  Resilient compute supply.  Despite US export controls, China combines domestic Huawei processors with renewed access to Nvidia H20 GPUs, so its labs keep the servers running.  Deep talent bench.  Chinese researchers already account for a large share of all AI papers, and universities send even more graduates into the field each year. If US momentum slows, this workforce could close the gap quickly.  Fast open innovation.  Low-cost open weight models like DeepSeek spread fast through China’s lively developer community, letting start-ups and state firms build new apps at high speed and low cost. Sources:  Axios ,   Bloomberg.com ,   MERICS The Bottom Line The U.S. leads in breakthroughs (ChatGPT, Gemini), but China’s scale + execution could dominate real-world deployment from education to surveillance to EVs. 🌏 What’s your take?   Will China outpace the U.S., or will American innovation keep the crown? Stay curious,  Thomas

A few years ago when I started my company in Germany, a friend warned me:   "Be careful with the Finanzamt and Gewerbeamt. If you miss a form, they will chase you."   This year, when I told friends I was starting a company in Shanghai, they smiled and asked,   "So, when is the IPO?"   After two years, I closed my German GmbH.   The endless paperwork, high taxes, and slow approvals turned every small win into hard work.   Now, I'm   not   saying China is some kind of business paradise. There's still paperwork here, too, and yes, we pay taxes.   But there’s one big difference:   people here believe in the future.   Officials reply quickly, investors answer calls, and even casual contacts introduce you to potential partners.   Germany still produces great entrepreneurs (though I wasn’t one of them ;)), but too often I felt that   German Angst —the hesitation, the fear of risk.   Meanwhile, most funding for new technologies now flows to just two places: the United States and East Asia.   What Germany Could Learn from Asia's Startup Culture   ✅ Move fast and adapt   In Asia, reaching the market quickly matters more than perfecting every detail. The mindset is:   launch now, improve later.   ✅ Failure is part of the journey   Here, a failed startup isn’t the end. Investors ask,   "What did you learn?"   not just   "Why did you fail?"   ✅ The ecosystem wants you to succeed   From government incentives to collaborative workspaces, Asia builds an environment where founders can thrive.   . Where I Am Today   My new company is growing faster than I ever expected. My latest project is   asiabits   -   the leading daily newsletter on Asian innovation for executives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers.   Give us five minutes each day, and we’ll turn the news into clear insights. 👉🏻 www.asiabits.com 💡 What do you think?   Have you noticed these cultural differences between doing business in Europe and Asia? I’d love to hear your perspective.   Stay curious,  Thomas

I just read some surprising news:  U.S. trade policy is making China great again—at America’s expense. A Morning Consult analysis of global favorability ratings shows China’s reputation rising while America’s declines. Source: Axios I’ve lived in China for the past decade, working to bridge understanding between Germany and China. Along the way,   I’ve faced backlash—accused of spreading propaganda for either the Chinese or German government by fellow YouTubers, netizens, and journalists. I get it. China sparks debate, admiration, and skepticism. Its economic growth, technological advancements, and geopolitical influence make it impossible to ignore. But here’s the reality:   ignoring China is no longer an option.   Like it or not, it’s shaping global trends that impact everyone. In 10 Years, China Will Lead in: 🔋 Technology   – A frontrunner in AI, 5G, and smart devices, with companies like Huawei and Alibaba setting future global standards. 🚘 Electric Vehicles   – BYD and NIO are driving the EV revolution, reshaping sustainability and green energy worldwide. 💻 E-commerce   – Alibaba and Pinduoduo have transformed retail with cutting-edge logistics and marketing, influencing global consumer habits. You don’t have to agree with China’s policies and practices. Criticism is fair—and often necessary. But   ignoring its influence? That’s a mistake.   Whether it’s your business, your country, or your daily life, paying attention is no longer optional. 🌏What’s your take? Share your thoughts below! Stay curious,  Thomas

When Shanghai finally reopened after Covid, I honestly wondered whether any foreigners would return. ⏩ Fast-forward to 2025:   on Nanjing Road I hear German, French and Korean every five steps – and most of those voices belong to twenty-something couples. It got me thinking:   How did China’s image transform so fast for Gen Z in the West? Back home, my German friends stay sceptical. In the US it’s similar:   77 %   of adults still see China in a negative light. Boomers hear “China” and picture the Communist Party, trade wars, balloons over Montana. But Gen Z? They’re experiencing China through TikTok trends, crazy-affordable tech, and viral food clips. Take IShowSpeed’s Visit: When the American streamer Darren Watkins Jr. ( "IShowSpeed" ) hit Shanghai in March, he live-streamed for   six hours straight . He freaked out over subway Wi-Fi speeds, test-drove Xiaomi’s new SU7, and even backflipped on the Great Wall in a Dongbei jacket. Overnight, clips racked up millions of views. Beijing’s propaganda team couldn’t have scripted it half as well. So Why the Gen Z Love? Here’s My Take: 📲   Tech That Doesn’t Break the Bank:   $300 Android phones? Shein’s 1-click checkout? Chinese brands solve real problems at pocket-money prices.   🎥   "Borrow-a-Boat" Diplomacy:   China invites influencers like Speed, Emma Chamberlain, or the Sidemen to just   explore . Raw content beats official messaging every time. ♻️   Green = Cool:   A BYD electric car costs less than a used Corolla—and looks way sleeker on your TikTok. 🍜   The Real Gap:   Boomers see politics. Zoomers see ¥30 hotpot, bullet trains, and dumpling tutorials. What do you think? Has seeing China through influencers’ eyes changed your perspective?    Stay curious,  Thomas

"Shanghai is like a cleaner, safer version of NYC." We’re sitting at a café in Shanghai, soaking up the sun and sipping some of the best cold brew in town. My friends from the U.S. drop that line casually, but it stops me for a second—not because it’s wrong, but because I’ve gotten used to it. After ten years here, I sometimes forget how rare this level of cleanliness is in a city this size. In German, we say,  "Der Mensch ist ein Gewohnheitstier" —humans are creatures of habit. You get used to things, especially the good ones. Sure, Shanghai has its rough edges, but overall, it’s undeniably tidy. My friends are right: When I last visited New York, I spent half the time dodging mountains of trash bags and overflowing bins while everyone else acted like it was no big deal. So why the stark contrast? And what can the West learn from Asian megacities like Shanghai, Tokyo, and Singapore? Here’s what I’ve noticed. 1. How People See Public Space Collectivism vs. Individualism:  Many Asian societies emphasize collective responsibility, where keeping shared spaces clean is seen as a civic duty. In contrast, Western individualism can lead to a "someone else will handle it" mindset. Shame and Social Pressure:  In places like Japan, public shaming (implicit or explicit) discourages littering. Western cultures often prioritize personal freedom over social conformity. 2. Rules That Actually Get Enforced Singapore’s Model:  The city-state imposes heavy fines for littering, chewing gum disposal, and even failing to flush public toilets. This strict deterrence works. Lax Enforcement in the West:  Many Western cities have anti-littering laws but inconsistent enforcement. Activists sometimes argue fines disproportionately affect the homeless or poor. 3. Efficient Waste Management Systems Japan’s Cleanliness Ethos:  Even without many public trash cans (due to past terrorism concerns), citizens carry their waste home. Municipal collection is highly organized. Western Underinvestment:  Aging infrastructure, budget cuts, and bureaucratic inefficiencies lead to overflowing bins and delayed pickups in cities like New York or San Francisco. 4. Urban Density & Design High-Density Living:  In Asian megacities, cleanliness is essential to prevent disease and maintain order in tight spaces. Car-Centric Western Cities:  Suburban sprawl and fewer pedestrians can lead to neglect of public areas.   The result? Cleaner streets aren’t magic. They’re the product of mindset, management, and design. What do you think the West could adopt? Drop your thoughts below.   Further Reading: New York City’s Filth: Understanding the Reasons Behind the Dirt

I knew what an N95 mask was long before most of my German friends. It was a chilly autumn day in Shanghai back in 2013. My Chinese teacher wrote two rather complicated characters for "smog" on the whiteboard. Then she handed out respirators to me and my classmates. The entire city was blanketed in thick, gray haze—the kind you could feel in your lungs and throat if you dared to breathe unfiltered air. The air quality index app read 600+, a number so high it exceeded the scale entirely. Fast forward to today. As I write these lines, I look out the window of my apartment in Shanghai. I see blue skies and white clouds—a view I used to associate only with my rural hometown in Germany. The street below is buzzing with life. Cars, delivery vans, and scooters zip by—but it’s almost silent. Why? Because roughly 70% of the cars and virtually 100% of the scooters are electric. And no one I see is wearing a mask. What happened? Just yesterday, I read an article buried on page 7 of a German newspaper: China Uses More Electricity — But Emits Less CO₂ Renewable energy boom pushes coal, oil, and gas into retreat. Wow. That’s big news. It should be on the front page. While Western media often focuses on China’s industrial growth and carbon emissions, a quiet but monumental shift is happening: China is leading the world in green energy expansion—and hardly anyone is talking about it. Here are just a few examples:   1. The World's Largest Renewable Energy Producer China now generates more solar, wind, and hydro power than any other country, accounting for over 50% of global renewable capacity growth in recent years . In 2023 alone, China installed: 216 GW of solar power  (more than the rest of the world combined) 76 GW of wind power  (doubling the U.S. and EU installations) 2. China's EV Dominance China controls over 60% of global EV sales , with brands like BYD outselling Tesla in key markets. The country also produces 80% of the world’s solar panels and 70% of lithium-ion batteries. 3. Reforestation on a Massive Scale Since 1990, China has planted over 66 billion trees—covering an area larger than France. The "Great Green Wall" project aims to plant 100 billion trees by 2050  to combat desertification. 4. Carbon Neutrality Pledge - Ahead of Schedule Despite being the world’s largest emitter (due to its size and manufacturing role), China is on track to peak emissions by 2025—five years earlier than promised . Its 2060 carbon neutrality goal could reshape global climate efforts. The Bottom Line   China’s green revolution isn’t just real—it’s accelerating faster than most predictions. While challenges remain (especially coal reliance in some regions), the scale of its investments in renewables, EVs, and reforestation is unmatched. The world should take notice—because China might just end up leading the fight against climate change , whether we acknowledge it or not.     Would you have believed this transformation possible ten years ago? Let me know your thoughts!  🌏 Stay curious, Thomas  Bonus: 3 Chinese Green Tech Stories to Watch 🌞 LONGi Solar (Xi’an) :  The world’s largest solar panel manufacturer. Low-cost, high-efficiency panels powering everything from rooftop arrays in Europe to mega farms in Africa. 🚛 NIO Power (Shanghai) :  Their battery-swap model is changing how electric vehicles operate—solving one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption: wait time. 🏙 State Grid’s UHV Lines (Nationwide) :  Ultra-high voltage transmission technology moves renewable energy from far-flung deserts to booming coastal cities. A global first.

As I write these lines, I'm sitting on a German ICE train from Cologne to Frankfurt Airport. The train is on time, the Wi-Fi works, and I’ve got a hot coffee. That shouldn’t be worth mentioning—but if you’ve ever taken a train in Germany, you know this is the exception. Most of us here never risk taking trains to important meetings. Will you arrive late? Will you arrive at all? It’s a lottery. Everyone in Germany would be happy if trains were just reliable .   Faster? Greener? More innovative?  Those are foreign words in the European railway industry. Meanwhile in China: 400 km/h Is the New Normal Beijing recently unveiled the  CR450. This next-generation high-speed train sets a new benchmark—not just for China, but globally. It reached 453 km/h (281 mph)  in tests and will soon operate commercially at 400 km/h (249 mph). For comparison: 🇩🇪  ICE – 300 km/h 🇫🇷  TGV  – 320 km/h 🇯🇵  Shinkansen  – 320 km/h   A Technical Masterpiece This train isn’t just faster—it’s smarter, quieter , and greener : 10% lighter carriages  thanks to carbon fiber materials , reducing energy use despite higher speeds. 22% lower resistance  through aerodynamic upgrades, including a sharper nose. 2 decibels quieter  interiors and 4% more passenger space , including new areas for wheelchairs and strollers.   And Europe? While Asia races ahead, Europe watches from the platform.   Yes, Europe has world-class train systems. But innovation has stalled—slowed down by regulations, fragmented networks, and sluggish procurement.   Meanwhile, China is not only building the trains of tomorrow—it’s already running them today.     What Do You Think? Will Europe catch up? Or will Asia dominate high-speed rail for decades to come? Let me know your thoughts!  🚄🌏 Stay curious, Thomas  P.S.  China now allows pets (<15kg) on select high-speed routes. My 30kg Labrador Einstein is not amused.😅🐾 P.P.S.  The toilet on this train? Out of order…

Last year, I suffered a workout injury. Diagnosis: tennis elbow. " You need physiotherapy," the Chinese doctor in Shanghai told me. "The physiotherapist has availability this afternoon. Shall I book you in?"   This year, my mother had back pain and went to a doctor in Germany. "You need physiotherapy," the doctor said. "There should be appointments in about 12 weeks."   The Problem The global population is aging  — and with it come new challenges. China benefits from a large population, which means more doctors (and more patients). Still, medical care in Shanghai is often faster and more affordable than in Cologne. But speed isn’t the only story. The Real Difference Almost every week, I read about Asian companies rolling out disruptive medical technologies and solutions.   Take this example:  A small Chinese biotech company, Akeso, developed a lung cancer drug  — Ivonescimab — that outperformed Merck’s blockbuster Keytruda in clinical trials. Tumor progression was delayed by 11.1 months vs. 5.8 months. China’s pharma sector has evolved: once known for copying drugs, it’s now out-innovating global giants . Licensing deals surged from $4B in 2017 to $57B in 2023.   Why? Because Asia Invests in Health Governments across Asia fund research, support talent and raise awareness of significant public health challenges. They know: a healthy society is the foundation of a wealthy one .   What We Need to Do We must strengthen global collaboration between scientists and healthcare institutions. Freezing academic exchange, branding every Chinese student a spy, and sowing mistrust will only hurt progress.   My friend from Hamburg, an eye doctor, shows how it's done. After working in Egypt, he now treats patients in a clinic in Hangzhou. He’s learning, connecting, and breaking down barriers—so the world of tomorrow can be healthier for all.     When your doctor prescribes a lifesaving drug in 2030, will you care if it came from Munich or Shanghai? Stay curious, Thomas  Bonus: 3 Companies Disrupting the Medical World (China, India, South Korea) 🇨🇳 Akeso Biopharma : Disrupting cancer care with Ivonescimab, a drug that beat Merck’s $130B Keytruda in trials. A leapfrog moment for Chinese biotech.   🇮🇳   Practo : AI-powered telemedicine reaching over 50M patients across 20 countries. It turns specialist wait times from weeks into minutes.   🇰🇷 Lunit : FDA-approved AI that detects cancer with 99% accuracy. Already used in over 2,000 hospitals worldwide.

When I graduated from German high school ( Gymnasium ), I faced a choice: university or vocational training. I chose the latter, joining a local bank ( Sparkasse ) for a 2.5-year apprenticeship. Though I eventually pursued higher education, those years taught me invaluable lessons that shaped my career —lessons many university graduates miss:   Responsibility Unlike theoretical classroom learning, my work had real consequences. My performance affected customers and colleagues, teaching me accountability early.   Learning by Doing Many university students later discover their knowledge doesn’t translate to the workplace. My training forced me to adapt theory to practice from day one.   Dealing with Pressure After years of meeting targets, handling clients, and answering to supervisors, university felt effortless. Real-world pressure had already toughened me up.   Germany’s vocational system is envied globally—yet today, fewer students use it, opting for universities instead. Ironically,  China is now trying to replicate the German model  to solve its own education crisis. The Problem: Degrees Without Jobs China’s university boom has backfired. Millions graduate yearly, but employers can’t absorb them. The result? Underemployed graduates  becoming delivery drivers, livestreamers, or even “professional children” (paid by parents to do chores). Critical shortages  in manufacturing, IT, and healthcare, where skilled workers are desperately needed.   “Low-level manufacturing jobs can be automated, but there’s a severe shortage of skilled blue-collar workers who can write code or operate machine tools.” Dan Wang, China Director, Eurasia Group   The Solution: China’s Vocational Push To rebalance the workforce, Beijing is: Promoting vocational schools  over universities, offering 3-year diplomas in high-demand fields (e.g., robotics, nursing, advanced manufacturing). Fighting cultural stigma —for decades, Chinese families saw university as the only path to prestige. Now, they’re being told: “Skills pay the bills.”   The Bigger Picture: A Global Trend China isn’t alone. From Germany to Singapore, economies are prioritizing  practical skills over academic credentials  as automation disrupts traditional jobs.   The question is:  What do you think? Should more countries prioritize vocational training? Reply with your thoughts! Stay curious, Thomas

I’m sitting in one of Shanghai’s  10,000 cafés  with a  German startup investor  visiting China for the first time. For  90 minutes straight , he fires off questions about everything from  AI to infrastructure. Next to us, an  elderly woman with curlers in her hair  and a  poodle in her lap  asks her phone: “DeepSeek, how can I make dog treats at home?” (Despite the outdated “Chinese people eat dogs” stereotype still floating around, China’s pet industry tells a different story: It's booming. As of 2024, the Chinese pet market is estimated at over  ¥270 billion ($37 billion). A few months ago,  I’d never heard of DeepSeek.  Now,  everyone—from Chinese pet owners to German tech journalists—is talking about it.   How did this happen?  I ask the investor.  His answer is revealing. AI is becoming increasingly important in everyday life Why Asia Is the New Innovation Engine While  Europe has a legacy of innovation , it's increasingly weighed down by: High cloud computing costs Stricter regulations A relatively cautious VC culture Meanwhile,  Asia—particularly China, Singapore, and India— is rapidly becoming the  go-to launchpad for tech startups  thanks to: Lower operational costs  (engineering salaries  30–50% cheaper  than Silicon Valley, cloud computing at a  fraction of Western prices ) Government turbo-boosting  (tax incentives, R&D grants, state-backed compute infrastructure) Massive, tech-hungry markets  (China alone has  over 1 billion mobile internet users ) Case in Point:  AI startups in Europe struggle with  high cloud bills and talent shortages , while Asian counterparts like  DeepSeek leverage cost-efficient engineering talent and infrastructure. Asian companies such as DeepSeek utilise cost-effective technical talent and infrastructure 💡  DEEPSEEK: Asia’s AI Cost-Efficiency Powerhouse DeepSeek isn’t just another AI startup—it’s proof of Asia’s operational edge.  Here’s why: ✅  1/10th the Training Costs Thanks to  subsidized cloud infrastructure and algorithmic optimizations , DeepSeek trains models for a  fraction  of what OpenAI or Anthropic spend. ✅  Talent Arbitrage A  senior AI engineer in China earns ¥80K–¥120K/year  vs.  200K–200 K –350K in Silicon Valley.  Yet, China now produces  50% more STEM grads annually than the U.S. ✅  Backed by Giants Strategic alliances with firms like  Alibaba, Tencent, and government compute initiatives  provide DeepSeek the  fuel to move fast. 🚀  Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs 1.     Bootstrapping is Possible  – Lower burn rates mean Asian startups survive longer without constant fundraising. 2.     Faster Experimentation  – Cheap computing allows rapid iteration (critical in AI). 3.     Global Talent Pool  – Remote teams in Asia offer high skill at lower costs. My suggestion to European leaders: With Asian startups like  DeepSeek proving that cost efficiency + speed = dominance ,  Europe must: Streamline regulations for AI and deep tech. Increase funding for computing and R&D. Encourage a risk-taking culture among founders and investors. The next decade of tech leadership will be decided by who builds the fastest and cheapest. Right now, Asia is winning.

I’m on my way to meet a friend for coffee in Berlin. It’s 3 pm on a sunny afternoon. As I walk through the city, two homeless men are fighting over a plastic bottle. Nearby, five teenagers with black hoodies and glazed eyes lean against a wall, smoking weed. A woman yells something unintelligible. I pick up my pace. I’m a grown man. I box regularly. I’m not supposed to be afraid. But something about this scene makes my stomach tighten. When I arrive at the café, I ask my friend, “How do you even feel safe going out alone at night?” “I don’t,” she says flatly. “But if I have to…” She opens her purse and shows me her pepper spray and personal alarm. I’ve lived in Shanghai—a city of 25 million—for ten years. I’ve also traveled to Tokyo, Singapore, and Seoul at all hours. Not once have I felt the kind of unease I’ve experienced in Berlin, London, or San Francisco. In Shanghai, a woman can stroll home at 2 a.m. without a second thought. So, what makes Asian cities feel so safe? Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Zero-Tolerance Policing (That Actually Works) Even petty crime is taken seriously in cities like Singapore and Hong Kong. Vandalism? Fined. Drug dealing? Expect serious consequences. The message is clear: Don’t mess around. Meanwhile, Western cities decriminalize shoplifting (hello, California), tolerate open drug scenes, and then wonder why disorder follows. Justice Systems That Actually Deliver In Japan or South Korea, assault someone and you’re likely going to jail—fast. The legal system focuses on accountability, not endless delays. In many Western countries, courts are bogged down by bureaucracy, ideology, and procedural backlogs, leading to weak or delayed consequences. Urban Design That Deters Crime Asian cities ar e dense, walkable, and alive at all hours. Streets are well-lit, and corner stores, vendors, and cafés create a natural network of watchful eyes. Natural and artificial surveillance everywhere. Many Western downtowns, by comparison, empty out at night and are riddled with poor lighting and infrastructure that signals neglect. Fewer Guns. Period. The U.S. has more guns than people. Europe isn’t immune either—gun violence is creeping up in some cities. However, in most Asian countries, firearms are tightly regulated. That means fewer shootings and less violent escalation. I get it—for privacy advocates in Europe facial recognition and public surveillance is a nightmare. But let’s be honest: walking down a dark street in L.A. or Berlin isn’t exactly comforting either. For anyone. So here’s the uncomfortable question: Privacy or security? Freedom or order?  What matters more? Stay curious, Thomas  Bonus: 3 Companies Making Asia’s Cities Safer 🇨🇳 China: Alibaba Cloud’s “City Brain” AI-powered urban infrastructure that optimizes traffic, emergency response, and public safety. Already deployed in Hangzhou. 🇸🇬 Singapore: ST Engineering Designs smart lampposts equipped with cameras, environmental sensors, and gunshot detection systems to monitor city life in real time. 🇯🇵 Japan: SECOM replaces boots on the ground with bots in the hall—its Virtual KEIBI System and cocobo robot handle security, reception, and

I grew up in the German countryside—where vast fields, forests, and houses no taller than three stories defined the landscape. When my parents immigrated from the Soviet Union to Germany, our family of eight crammed into a small apartment. Their dream was simple: a detached house with a garden. After years of hard work, they made it happen.  "You have to work hard to live like this, Thomas,"  my father often reminded me at dinner.  "Having neighbors above and below you is a nightmare." Now, I live on the 23rd floor of a Shanghai high-rise, surrounded by more neighbors than my hometown had residents. And honestly? I love it—the height, the skyline, the hum of a city alive below. But this isn’t just about personal preference. It’s about inevitability. While living close to the ground in large houses might still be possible in rural parts of the world, it’s simply not feasible in major urban centers. By 2050, the UN predicts  6.7 billion people — 68% of the global population —will live in cities. Urbanization brings challenges: scarce resources, overcrowding, and severe traffic congestion. Living in Asia for over a decade, I’ve noticed a fundamental difference in how problems are approached: Europe:   See the problem, discuss the problem. Asia:   See the problem, solve the problem. And when it comes to urbanization, the solutions aren’t on the ground— they’re in the sky. China’s "Just Fly It" Mentality Recently, China made history by granting  the world’s first operational certificates for autonomous passenger drones . EHang Holdings  and  Hefei Hey Airlines  can now legally transport passengers in drone taxis— two people at a time, 130 km/h, 30 km per charge . Just tap your phone, hop in, and glide above traffic jams. Backed by Beijing’s aggressive policy support, China’s  "low-altitude economy"  is already worth  $27 billion this year alone . Drones in Shenzhen don’t just deliver packages—they bring  coffee, hot meals, and emergency medicine  across skyscrapers in minutes. Urban air mobility isn’t a concept;  it’s infrastructure. The View From My Window The future is clearly in the sky. As I write this, I’m watching an endless stream of cars and pedestrians  69 meters below . In ten years, I am certain cars will decrease while people moving above ground will dramatically increase. So, to European policymakers, my advice is simple:  Get on a plane (for now), fly to Shanghai, Seoul, or Tokyo, and glimpse the future—so that Europe might also have one. Stay curious, Thomas  🇩🇪 Curious to dive deeper? We highly recommend the German edition of The One Hour China Book —a razor-sharp analysis of China’s megatrends, written for busy brains who still want to understand the world’s most important market.