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Germany
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Germany

Germany
Germany
The latest breaking news and stories on Germany, a country in northern Europe known as a federal republic, and the world’s fourth largest economy. Also covering Germany’s relationship with China and Europe, plus commentary and updates on Germany’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
Berlin
Head of State
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Head of Government
Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Olaf Scholz
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.

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Education in Hong Kong

Letters | What Hong Kong educators can learn from Yidan Prize winners

European Union

‘Disaster’: Germany’s embattled chancellor suffers bruising election defeats

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China trade

China elevates Li Chenggang to nation’s top international trade role

Appointment comes as Vice-Premier He Lifeng leads a delegation to the US ahead of expected Xi-Trump meeting.

Li Chenggang speaks during a press conference in Beijing on July 18, 2025. Photo: AFP
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs seizes 13kg of suspected ketamine at airport, man arrested

Officers found suspected ketamine in checked luggage of a 22-year-old man who arrived in city from Frankfurt.

China exports

China’s trade limits continue to bite into Japan’s rare earth imports

Rare earth magnet imports fall 17 per cent, following a 52 per cent plunge in July, amid deteriorating ties between Beijing and Tokyo.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Why China is playing it cool despite Trump’s disruption and churn

Despite months of US ambivalence, Beijing’s patience and composure at key Washington summit can show they are ‘the new adults in the room’.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
China-Germany relations

Are the doors to German universities closing for China’s STEM researchers?

As Berlin pursues de-risking, hundreds of visa applicants in China are rejected each year, an investigation finds.

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ICBMs

Opinion | Why cities have the responsibility to demand nuclear disarmament

As cities are the main targets of nuclear weapons, they have a responsibility to speak out and encourage efforts to eliminate them.

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Hong Kong

As I see it | Why mainland Chinese despise the British – but Hongkongers don’t

Whereas Hong Kong people experienced a milder form of colonialism, mainland Chinese were subjected to the extremes of Western imperialism.

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Heritage statues on Shamian Island in 2010. The district in Guangzhou was once controlled by the British and the French. Photo: Edward Wong
Singapore

US firm Waymo to launch robotaxi service in Singapore in 2028

Trained specialists will drive Jaguar I-Pace vehicles and help Waymo adapt its technology to Singapore’s road layouts and other conditions.

Attendees look at a Jaguar I-Pace equipped with a Waymo autonomous driving system at a consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas in January 2025. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Von der Leyen’s ‘China shock’ speech aimed to send Beijing a message: analysts

The EU leader’s speech was light on specifics, but aimed to signal firm stance ahead of looming trade talks with Beijing, analysts say.

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Friedrich Merz

After far-right win, Germany’s embattled leader faces more election tests

Chancellor Friedrich Merz braces for a potential double election blow this weekend as pressure mounts on his leadership.

Donald Trump

Trump threatens EU over ‘hostile’ proposal to make Canada associate member

US president warns of severe trade action as Ursula von der Leyen pitches historic partnership to Mark Carney.

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US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Saudis turn to Western, regional allies as missile defences run low

Regional officials say kingdom appeals to France, UK, Pakistan, and Egypt for help against Houthis amid US interceptor shortages.

Houthi fighters pose atop what the group described as the wreckage of a downed Saudi F-15 fighter jet in Marib province, Yemen, in an image released on Wednesday. Photo: Ansar Allah Media Office via AP
Qatar

Iranian and Saudi panellists spar at Xiangshan Forum over Middle East attacks

Verbal battle erupts at security conference over Tehran’s targeting of US bases in Saudi Arabia.

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Friedrich Merz

Germany’s chancellor cancels UN trip amid mounting pressure at home

Friedrich Merz opts to remain in Berlin following far-right AfD gains and ahead of crucial regional votes.

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Science

Chinese scientists build world’s smallest CT scanner, weighing just 6kg

Compact and portable device can be used to analyse fossils and archaeological relics in the field, developer says.

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A typical hospital scanner is roughly 2 metres tall and wide and weighs around two tonnes (2.2 tons). Photo: Handout
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.

Espionage

German intelligence report warns of rising Chinese, Russian spy threat

A report by Germany’s counter-intelligence agency said some surveillance activities targeting military infrastructure can be linked to China.

Nato

Finland to join France’s forward nuclear deterrent

France’s initiative would extend its nuclear deterrent to other European countries through joint exercises.

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France’s President Emmanuel Macron (left) walks with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb after their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday. Photo: AFP
War and conflict

My Take | US-Israeli failure to bomb Iran into submission was preordained

From Nazi Germany to Vietnam, history is rich with examples of countries that simply refuse to surrender to bombing.

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A billboard depicting US President Donald Trump underwater amid explosions, with the words “Great Victory! Strait of Hormuz”, in Tehran, Iran, on August 24. Photo: AP
China-Africa relations

China bets on early Sudan deals to secure post-war economic edge

Lack of leverage by army-backed government in Khartoum may allow Chinese firms to secure favourable investment terms.

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On Our Radar

HKLGFF: 37 years of queer cinema, from Leslie Cheung to RuPaul

Asia’s longest-running international LGBTQ film festival invites Hong Kong audiences on an emotional, cinematic ride, with a revamped programming featuring six distinct ‘moods’.

China-EU relations

Why Sweden, once one of Beijing’s most outspoken critics, has changed its tune

Driven by geopolitical shifts and critical industrial needs, Stockholm is expected to pivot towards Beijing to shield its economic future.

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Election campaign posters are displayed in central Stockholm. Photo: AFP
China economy

Opinion | Why China is steering clear of the US’ ‘exorbitant privilege’ model

Beijing is decoupling the internationalisation of the yuan as a transactional currency from the role of an unconstrained global reserve store of value.

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An employee counts 100-yuan notes at a bank in Beijing in November 2024. Photo: AFP
South Korea

Can a US$6 trillion South Korea-Japan economic bloc succeed?

A South Korean tycoon’s proposal could create the world’s fourth-biggest economic bloc, if both countries put history behind them.

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Switzerland

‘Angel of Death’: Switzerland publishes 200-page dossier on Nazi doctor

The war criminal was infamous for carrying out horrific medical experiments on inmates at Auschwitz.

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