Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

... About the wage agreements: These are at the limit of what one can still afford given the competition from China. It is quite astonishing what they can already do themselves there. One would not have thought this possible 10 years ago. Corona and the compulsion to do it yourself because no skilled workers from Europe can enter anymore were an enormous accelerator. ...

Yes, Corona has led to certain effects worldwide. I myself have been neither to China nor to Russia. Nevertheless, I believe that we here in Germany have completely wrong ideas about both countries in many areas. My brother gave lectures for 3 months in China, my nephew was there for a year. From their stories, I gather that China is far from "being able to do something on its own." In my opinion, this is related to the education system (I know the outdated frontal teaching from another Asian country). Of course, it is undisputed that astonishing things can be achieved there as well with a lot of manpower and money and the dictatorship imposed over it.

Yes, Corona has led to certain effects worldwide. I myself have been neither in China nor in Russia. Nevertheless, I believe that we here in Germany have completely wrong ideas about both countries in many areas. My brother held lectures in China for 3 months, my nephew was there for a year. From their stories, I gather that China is far from being able to "do something by itself." In my opinion, that is related to the education system (I know the outdated frontal teaching method from another Asian country). Of course, it is undisputed that astonishing things can be created there with a lot of manpower and money and under the imposed dictatorship.

When was that? I was in China 10 years ago, some of my colleagues regularly until 2018 and conveyed a similar picture.

But, as often in history, wars and/or crises are an incredible development boost. In World War I airplanes were developed, in World War II jet engines and rockets were developed within a few years.

And the Chinese, at least those we can oversee in-house as a kind of branch office. These Chinese have made an incredible leap in 2 years of Corona and now do almost the entire business themselves... which we previously covered almost 80% from Germany on long-distance trips. They have projects that we at the headquarters in Germany sometimes know nothing about.

Therefore, yes, from the perspective before 2019 I agree with you. But the wind has turned 180° here. If the Chinese have to, they can. And that is a really alarming realization for us.

PS: One must not forget that a massive number of students from China have been enrolled at every German university in the last 20 years. They don’t do this because the weather in Germany is so great, but because you can gain experience that way. That eventually bears fruit; hardly any Chinese remain in Germany after their master's degree.

I strongly warn against underestimating China. Russia on the other hand... they can be glad if in 2 years they still find enough third-rate doctors.

My professors recommended learning Mandarin and that was over 15 years ago...
No one who knows even a little bit underestimates the Chinese.

My professors recommended learning Mandarin and that was over 15 years ago...
No one who knows even a little underestimates the Chinese.

and the insight from that? I and the German economy have managed very well without a single word of Mandarin over the past 15 years. I believe that will remain the case for quite some time.
P.S. In the financial sector around the turn of the millennium, we were quite sure that BRIC was the big thing. In 2010, the countries dominated everything. We all know where we stand today. The influence of the countries is enormous. But they still have not dominated and displaced the rest of the world in 2022.

That will eventually bear fruit, hardly any Chinese stay in Germany after their master's degree.

My personal sample shows the opposite. Which Chinese would want to pay 776 and exorbitant rents for a one-room shoebox when they can live significantly better here working 40 hours?
Whether China will dominate everything depends mainly on the leadership. And right now the signs point to a new communism. That can quickly backfire. Factors like demographics also absolutely do not speak in favor of China. I would rather bet on India: even larger population, business culture more compatible with the West, many English speakers...

;)
I never really understood why people want to live in big cities anyway