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.

I was a guest on what is now Germany’s most influential political talk show a few years ago —think 18 million viewers a month. Afterward, I asked the host, one of the country’s biggest opinion-shapers: “Have you ever been to China?” His reply? “No, but I have been in Mongolia.”   China is Germany’s largest trading partner. No major global issue—climate, AI, trade—can be solved without it. And yet, one of our top media figures has never set foot there.   You can feel it in the numbers, the energy, the direction of innovation: Asia’s not rising—it’s already here.  China’s driving EVs like it's already 2030, India’s pumping out software engineers faster than you can say “Fachkräftemangel,” and Southeast Asia is quietly becoming the most exciting test lab for the digital economy.   Meanwhile, in Germany, we’re still patting ourselves on the back for building good cars and holding tight to clipboard culture. Why you should care: Because ignoring Asia isn’t just ignorant—it’s expensive. If we don’t reframe Asia as a peer and a partner, we’ll miss the boat on everything from innovation to global relevance.  Visiting Huawei’s Shenzhen headquarters—a leader in bridging Africa’s digital divide (e.g., RuralStar), yet debated in markets like Germany over security concerns. 👉 My suggestion? Let’s turn Germany into a bridge—not a barrier—between East and West. And let’s start by sending politicians, CEOs, and news anchors on weekly trips to China. I’ll organize the first one. Stay curious, Thomas  🇩🇪 Curious to dive deeper? For a German perspective on China-Europe relations, check out our podcast episode with Joerg Wuttke here . Wuttke, with his decades of experience in China and Europe, doesn’t hold back.   And if you prefer to read, 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.