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Belgium

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Belgium. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Brussels

Head of State

King Philippe

Head of Government

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo

Wang Yi calls on Berlin to “maintain a rational and pragmatic approach” and play a positive role within the EU in “promoting the upholding of free trade and rejecting protectionism”, according to the foreign ministry. Photo: Reuters

China-Germany relations

China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions before Xi-Trump summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations.

6 hours agovideocam

South Korea

South Korea steps up to plug Europe’s jet fuel deficit

21 Sep 2026 - 8:59AM

China-EU relations

Brussels announces dates for next round of China-EU trade talks in Beijing

18 Sep 2026 - 3:26PM

China-EU relations

Von der Leyen vows tough stance with China, using EU’s tools to rebalance trade

Brussels is looking to reduce reliance on Chinese raw materials, and Beijing again urges the EU to avoid protectionist policies.

16 Sep 2026 - 6:56PMvideocam

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual State of the Union address on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

China trade

German firms want tougher action on Beijing. So why are investments in China up?

Companies are caught between China’s growing competitive threat and its importance as a market, manufacturer and source of growth.

15 Sep 2026 - 5:09PM

Britain

UK lawmakers reject bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales

The bill had proposed allowing adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval.

11 Sep 2026 - 10:43PM

China-EU relations

Beijing lodges diplomatic protests over Taiwan official’s visit to Italy

European Parliament official says conference attendance by Hsiao Bi-khim was kept confidential to safeguard her participation.

11 Sep 2026 - 7:27PMvideocam

Italy

Emma Bonino, Italy’s activist politician, dies aged 78

Bonino was a passionate advocate for social justice and gender equality who deliberately courted controversy to advance her many causes.

11 Sep 2026 - 5:30PM

China-EU relations

Far-right win in German election further shakes up China-EU relations

Outcome could harden Berlin’s stance towards Beijing ahead of an October deadline for trade rebalancing, analysts say.

9 Sep 2026 - 11:33PM

China exports

Amid lack of grass lawns in China, the robotic mower sector chases EU market

Once a niche market, sales of robot mowers in Europe have more than doubled in the past five years.

9 Sep 2026 - 8:30PM

A robotic lawnmower on display at IFA in Berlin on Thursday. Photo: dpa/Getty Images

Britain

UK, France, Canada block imports from Israeli West Bank settlements

Foreign Minister Ed Miliband says Britain refuses to be ‘bystanders to further suffering and to the destruction of the two-state solution’.

8 Sep 2026 - 10:37PM

Israeli settlers with their animals in the Palestinian village of Duma, near Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in February. Photo: Reuters

Science

Could China sanction US for illegal international seabed mining? A study says yes

But issue is said to create tension for Beijing between defending the multilateral system and protecting its own access to critical minerals.

8 Sep 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam visits Russia and France amid South China Sea tensions

Visiting Moscow and Paris in succession allows To Lam to rally support for Hanoi’s maritime stance without taking sides, analysts say.

8 Sep 2026 - 8:10PM

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | European chamber chief in Hong Kong heads to Brussels to ‘reset city’s image’

Johannes Hack says Hong Kong remains ‘fundamentally’ different from mainland cities amid growing trade tensions between Beijing and EU.

7 Sep 2026 - 8:31AM

EuroCham chairman Johannes Hack is leading the organisation’s first-ever “door-knock” mission to Brussels. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Science

Scientists studying cockroach milk and nose-blowing win Ig Nobel prizes

The event was moved to Europe after 35 years in the US, with organisers fearing it has become ‘unsafe’ for their guests to visit the country.

4 Sep 2026 - 4:21AM

Swiss science journalist Atlant Bieri (centre) reacts with 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics winner Michel Mayor (right) next to Swiss biotechnologist Pia Viviani during the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

EU, China talk trade as Europe’s deadline for action looms

Negotiations have begun in Beijing amid the spectre of a possible EU-China trade war.

3 Sep 2026 - 9:07PM

Hong Kong culture

Late Hong Kong dance pioneer Lau Siu-ming remembered for outstanding achievements

Culture minister among those paying tribute to late performer, known as Ming Sir, for his artistic contributions to sector.

3 Sep 2026 - 9:53PM

China-EU relations

EU trade enforcers descend on Beijing demanding China fix ‘untenable’ imbalances

Brussels officials hold talks in the Chinese capital as they seek a commitment to reduce surging exports to the bloc.

2 Sep 2026 - 6:26PM

Chinese exports to the EU have expanded at breakneck speed in recent months. Photo: Reuters

Racism and other prejudice

John Galliano cancels Met Gala exhibition after backlash over past racism, antisemitism

British designer apologises to Jewish and Asian communities for ‘words in the past’ as he pulls out of 2027 exhibition.

1 Sep 2026 - 10:31AM

China exports

As China-EU trade talk deadline nears, ex-Brussels official adopts bullish tone

The former president of the European Council says the two sides are approaching a common ground.

31 Aug 2026 - 8:30PM

China-EU relations

China’s trade grip tightens in Europe as clock ticks towards October deadline

As Brussels continues its push to rebalance ties, the latest data show China’s trade surplus expanded over all but three EU members in July.

22 Aug 2026 - 3:06AMvideocam

Shipping containers at a port in Nanjing, eastern China. Brussels has set a three-month deadline for a rebalancing of trade ties. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

The Mistral paradox: Europe’s push for tech sovereignty relies on China’s Z.ai

AI race contender’s decision to offer GLM-5.2 a sign of how European political and commercial incentives can pull in different directions.

21 Aug 2026 - 10:11PMvideocam

French company Mistral AI’s decision to offer a Chinese large language model has raised eyebrows against a backdrop of tense EU-China trade relations. Photo: Shutterstock

Britain

University suspends academic behind Jason Arday plagiarism accusations

Self-defined ‘race realist’ Nathan Cofnas spearheaded the charges against the young ex-Cambridge professor, who was found dead last week.

21 Aug 2026 - 1:57AM

China exports

Job losses mount at German carmakers as China challenge grows

Automotive industry shed more than 40,000 jobs – 5.8 per cent of its workforce – in first half of year, statistical office says.

17 Aug 2026 - 4:34PM

European Union

Belgium battles worst wildfire on record, EU allies come to aid

Helicopters from the Czech Republic and Swedish water-bombing aircraft were due to arrive under the European Union civil protection mechanism.

16 Aug 2026 - 6:09PM

Smoke from a massive wildfire in Belgium’s Hohes Venn region is seen from Germany, on Sunday. Photo: dpa

Singapore

Meet the Singaporean DJ taking local sounds to the global stage

Likie Low’s playlist at Tomorrowland wove Singapore train announcements and bird calls together with electronic dance music.

15 Aug 2026 - 11:07AM

Likie Low, whose stage name is Likki, at the DJ table. Photo: Likki

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmakers could capture 15% to 30% of European market by 2035: analysts

‘Made in Europe’ requirement in EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act cited as key factor in lowest growth forecast.

13 Aug 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

China trade

EU’s new packaging rules leave China’s traders feeling boxed in

As trade tensions rise, Brussels has implemented new rules aimed at reducing packaging waste, with the threat of fines and bans for non-compliance.

12 Aug 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

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Belgium

China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions before Xi-Trump summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations.

South Korea steps up to plug Europe’s jet fuel deficit

Brussels announces dates for next round of China-EU trade talks in Beijing

Von der Leyen vows tough stance with China, using EU’s tools to rebalance trade

Brussels is looking to reduce reliance on Chinese raw materials, and Beijing again urges the EU to avoid protectionist policies.

German firms want tougher action on Beijing. So why are investments in China up?

Companies are caught between China’s growing competitive threat and its importance as a market, manufacturer and source of growth.

UK lawmakers reject bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales

The bill had proposed allowing adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval.

Beijing lodges diplomatic protests over Taiwan official’s visit to Italy

European Parliament official says conference attendance by Hsiao Bi-khim was kept confidential to safeguard her participation.

Emma Bonino, Italy’s activist politician, dies aged 78

Bonino was a passionate advocate for social justice and gender equality who deliberately courted controversy to advance her many causes.

Far-right win in German election further shakes up China-EU relations

Outcome could harden Berlin’s stance towards Beijing ahead of an October deadline for trade rebalancing, analysts say.

Amid lack of grass lawns in China, the robotic mower sector chases EU market

Once a niche market, sales of robot mowers in Europe have more than doubled in the past five years.

UK, France, Canada block imports from Israeli West Bank settlements

Foreign Minister Ed Miliband says Britain refuses to be ‘bystanders to further suffering and to the destruction of the two-state solution’.

Could China sanction US for illegal international seabed mining? A study says yes

But issue is said to create tension for Beijing between defending the multilateral system and protecting its own access to critical minerals.

Vietnam’s To Lam visits Russia and France amid South China Sea tensions

Visiting Moscow and Paris in succession allows To Lam to rally support for Hanoi’s maritime stance without taking sides, analysts say.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | European chamber chief in Hong Kong heads to Brussels to ‘reset city’s image’

Johannes Hack says Hong Kong remains ‘fundamentally’ different from mainland cities amid growing trade tensions between Beijing and EU.

Scientists studying cockroach milk and nose-blowing win Ig Nobel prizes

The event was moved to Europe after 35 years in the US, with organisers fearing it has become ‘unsafe’ for their guests to visit the country.

EU, China talk trade as Europe’s deadline for action looms

Negotiations have begun in Beijing amid the spectre of a possible EU-China trade war.

Late Hong Kong dance pioneer Lau Siu-ming remembered for outstanding achievements

Culture minister among those paying tribute to late performer, known as Ming Sir, for his artistic contributions to sector.

EU trade enforcers descend on Beijing demanding China fix ‘untenable’ imbalances

Brussels officials hold talks in the Chinese capital as they seek a commitment to reduce surging exports to the bloc.

John Galliano cancels Met Gala exhibition after backlash over past racism, antisemitism

British designer apologises to Jewish and Asian communities for ‘words in the past’ as he pulls out of 2027 exhibition.

As China-EU trade talk deadline nears, ex-Brussels official adopts bullish tone

The former president of the European Council says the two sides are approaching a common ground.

China’s trade grip tightens in Europe as clock ticks towards October deadline

As Brussels continues its push to rebalance ties, the latest data show China’s trade surplus expanded over all but three EU members in July.

The Mistral paradox: Europe’s push for tech sovereignty relies on China’s Z.ai

AI race contender’s decision to offer GLM-5.2 a sign of how European political and commercial incentives can pull in different directions.

University suspends academic behind Jason Arday plagiarism accusations

Self-defined ‘race realist’ Nathan Cofnas spearheaded the charges against the young ex-Cambridge professor, who was found dead last week.

Job losses mount at German carmakers as China challenge grows

Automotive industry shed more than 40,000 jobs – 5.8 per cent of its workforce – in first half of year, statistical office says.

Belgium battles worst wildfire on record, EU allies come to aid

Helicopters from the Czech Republic and Swedish water-bombing aircraft were due to arrive under the European Union civil protection mechanism.

Meet the Singaporean DJ taking local sounds to the global stage

Likie Low’s playlist at Tomorrowland wove Singapore train announcements and bird calls together with electronic dance music.

Chinese carmakers could capture 15% to 30% of European market by 2035: analysts

‘Made in Europe’ requirement in EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act cited as key factor in lowest growth forecast.

EU’s new packaging rules leave China’s traders feeling boxed in

As trade tensions rise, Brussels has implemented new rules aimed at reducing packaging waste, with the threat of fines and bans for non-compliance.

Exclusive | European chamber chief in Hong Kong heads to Brussels to ‘reset city’s image’