Kommentar: Chinas Wohlstandsversprechen wankt und die Führung zaudert

China's promise of prosperity is faltering as its leadership grapples with a critical predicament. Two instances from this month highlight the mounting challenges. Firstly, Meituan's millions of gig drivers, responsible for delivering goods swiftly to customers, find themselves stuck at traffic lights. The trial system is compensating for the mounting time pressure faced by low-wage workers in China.

Secondly, during a test, Chinese citizens are now permitted to obtain marriage certificates at subway stations. The aim is to increase marriages, as women are particularly concerned about career pressures and the risk of being torn between family and work. This, in turn, is intended to boost the birth rate, as China's society rapidly ages and shrinks.

These examples, while intriguing, underplay the severity of the situation. Despite China's significant economic successes in key technological fields, such as battery technology, robotics, and drones, its societal model is facing perilous instability. The number of precarious workers is surging. While some segments of the population benefit from the artificial intelligence boom, the economic miracle of China is experiencing severe turbulence elsewhere.