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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

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron after the 26th Franco-German Ministerial Council at Augustusburg Palace in Bruehl, Germany, on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

European Union

France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

France is the only nuclear power in the 27-member EU, while Germany plans to build Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039.

4 hours ago

Science

China team cuts 3D optical chip production time from hours to seconds

19 Jul 2026 - 2:19PMvideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

Europe’s carmakers plan a comeback – powered by EU policies and Chinese tech

18 Jul 2026 - 6:18AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Is Europe’s anti-missile move with Ukraine ‘insurance’ against unpredictable US?

Europe is ‘quietly planning for the day it might have to stand on its own’ while aligning with US calls to do more on defence, analysts say.

17 Jul 2026 - 3:10PM

French President Emmanuel Macron hugs Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris on Tuesday. Zelensky has pressed European allies to boost Kyiv’s air defences before winter. Photo: AFP

China exports

Feeling the heat? As China exports soar, Europe’s ports are congested

Amid heatwaves, strikes and surging import volumes, strains on the transport network are causing frequent logistics bottlenecks.

15 Jul 2026 - 4:00PM

European Union

Gibraltar and Spain end border checks in historic UK-EU treaty

Land border at ‘The Rock’ is eliminated, ending routine checks for thousands of daily cross-border travellers.

15 Jul 2026 - 12:20PM

Hong Kong

Letters | Hong Kong’s very own font would be a genuine world first

Readers discuss a craft-intensive investment that says Hong Kong believes in its future, the city’s focus on university rankings, and a World Cup red card scandal.

14 Jul 2026 - 11:30AM

Tourists gather at a photo hotspot in Kennedy Town. No government anywhere has commissioned an official bilingual typeface for traditional Chinese and Latin scripts. Hong Kong is well placed to attempt one. Photo: Sam Tsang

Yuan

London Clearing House accepts dim sum bonds as non-cash collateral

Bank of China led the roll-out of the yuan-denominated assets, with three of its overseas units executing the first transactions.

14 Jul 2026 - 6:06PM

Middle East

EU countries push for trade ban with Israeli settlements

EU foreign policy chief insists measures target West Bank settlements rather than Israel itself.

14 Jul 2026 - 2:12PM

European Union

EU eyes social media curbs for children

Australia, Britain, China, India and the United States have already imposed a social media ban or are ‌considering ‌one.

13 Jul 2026 - 7:34PM

A teenager looks at her smartphone in Brussels. The EU is considering a tiered approach, with under-13s only allowed to use social media for limited periods under the supervision of parents, carers and teachers. Photo: AFP

Extreme weather

Europe recorded 10,000 excess deaths in late-June heatwave

Official mortality tracking reveals a spike in fatalities in older people as extreme heat engulfed continent.

13 Jul 2026 - 1:59PM

The extreme heatwave at the end of June disrupted power supplies, shut ‌schools, and smashed temperature records in France, Spain and the UK. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

China’s car shipments to EU surge, but could be nearing peak: European analysts

The rapid ascent of Chinese car brands in Europe could be nearing a turning point as both the EU and Germany consider protectionist measures.

12 Jul 2026 - 3:00PM

United States

My Take | If anyone deserves a red card it’s Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino

If this World Cup is to be remembered as the best ever, it will be in spite of their efforts, not because of them.

11 Jul 2026 - 10:46PM

Nato

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

10 Jul 2026 - 9:46AM

A revolver given to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, with the president’s name engraved on it, is displayed during a press presentation in Vilnius, Lithuania. Photo: Office of the Lithuanian President via AFP

China-EU relations

How the rush for Chinese air conditioners exposes gap in EU trade policy

As a record heatwave drives Europeans to snap up imported cooling units, Brussels’ rhetoric clashes with consumer reality.

10 Jul 2026 - 9:12AMvideocam

Demand is surging in Europe for Chinese air conditioners, even as Brussels tightens its trade policy towards Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa

World Cup integrity questioned as Trump, Fifa defend Balogun suspension actions

Belgium’s football federation challenged Fifa’s ruling to overturn a ban on the US forward, who was cleared to play on Monday.

7 Jul 2026 - 5:40AMvideocam

US-EU relations

US at 250: has Europe learned to survive Trump’s America?

The transatlantic alliance has become unpredictable and even hostile, and many are wondering how much road it has left to run.

7 Jul 2026 - 12:35AMvideocam

Fifa

Video | Suspended US footballer to play in next World Cup match after Fifa U-turn

Fifa denies that call from US President Donald Trump to Fifa’s Gianni Infantino led to unprecedented decision.

6 Jul 2026 - 8:30PM

China-EU relations

EU should learn from China’s energy tech, say heads of 2 French power giants

The EU can learn from China’s tech knowledge and speed capability in both renewable and nuclear power sectors.

7 Jul 2026 - 9:39AM

Fifa

Balogun’s ban suspended by Fifa, allowing US forward to play against Belgium

US President Donald Trump called Fifa President Gianni Infantino to ask him to review the suspension, The New York Times reported.

6 Jul 2026 - 6:05AM

China trade

Why is a Chinese-made portable AC selling out across heat-stricken Europe?

Popularity of Midea’s PortaSplit fuels resale mark-ups and expedited shipping as renters favour plug-and-play cooling amid installation barriers.

5 Jul 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

A Midea PortaSplit air conditioner is pictured at Midea’s German R&D Centre on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

China economy

Opinion | ‘Overcapacity’ talk reflects a West irked by China’s industrial rise

The issue is whether that irritation can be managed through rules, domestic renewal and cooperation or further fragments the world economy.

5 Jul 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

Workers check solar panels installed over a lake in Tianchang, east China’s Anhui province on January 12. Cheap solar panels are not a climate problem; they are part of the climate solution. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

China-EU progress, Xi touts ‘global influence’, Nato summit

This week: China signals openness to cutting EU trade gap, President Xi hails Communist Party’s ‘significant global influence’ and factory activity returns to expansion. Next week: Nato summit takes place in Turkey, US moves towards new tariffs, Kung Fu Soccer may hit the screens, and more.

3 Jul 2026 - 5:02PM

China-EU relations

Exclusive | China signals openness to cut gaping EU trade gap as Brussels toughens stance

Beijing floats buying more European goods as the EU weighs new trade tools and presses for tangible progress by October.

3 Jul 2026 - 5:11AM

China-EU relations

European firms ‘becoming more reliant on China, not less’: EU chamber chief

Jens Eskelund tells conference in Berlin that Beijing can raise costs of confrontation beyond what other side is willing to bear.

6 Jul 2026 - 5:28PM

The flags of the European Union and China in front of the German Foreign Office in Berlin. Photo: Photothek via Getty Images

Germany

At least 5 killed, many injured, in Belgium apartment block fire

The blaze broke out on the eighth floor of a residential building, with over 200 residents. Meanwhile, a fire has killed three in Germany.

1 Jul 2026 - 10:09PM

Firefighters try to extinguish a fatal fire in an apartment building in Antwerp, Belgium, on Wednesday. Photo: via Xinhua

China-EU relations

EU seeks ‘tangible results’ on China trade deficit by October

Hopes of progress in paring the EU’s trade deficit with China by autumn will mean overcoming some seemingly insurmountable barriers.

30 Jun 2026 - 5:00PM

China-EU relations

China-EU joint statement on trade

China and the European Union issued a rare joint statement confirming the launch of a ministerial-level platform to ease bilateral economic tensions.

30 Jun 2026 - 2:47PM

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Belgium

France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

France is the only nuclear power in the 27-member EU, while Germany plans to build Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039.

China team cuts 3D optical chip production time from hours to seconds

Europe’s carmakers plan a comeback – powered by EU policies and Chinese tech

Is Europe’s anti-missile move with Ukraine ‘insurance’ against unpredictable US?

Europe is ‘quietly planning for the day it might have to stand on its own’ while aligning with US calls to do more on defence, analysts say.

Feeling the heat? As China exports soar, Europe’s ports are congested

Amid heatwaves, strikes and surging import volumes, strains on the transport network are causing frequent logistics bottlenecks.

Gibraltar and Spain end border checks in historic UK-EU treaty

Land border at ‘The Rock’ is eliminated, ending routine checks for thousands of daily cross-border travellers.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Letters | Hong Kong’s very own font would be a genuine world first

Readers discuss a craft-intensive investment that says Hong Kong believes in its future, the city’s focus on university rankings, and a World Cup red card scandal.

London Clearing House accepts dim sum bonds as non-cash collateral

Bank of China led the roll-out of the yuan-denominated assets, with three of its overseas units executing the first transactions.

EU countries push for trade ban with Israeli settlements

EU foreign policy chief insists measures target West Bank settlements rather than Israel itself.

EU eyes social media curbs for children

Australia, Britain, China, India and the United States have already imposed a social media ban or are ‌considering ‌one.

Europe recorded 10,000 excess deaths in late-June heatwave

Official mortality tracking reveals a spike in fatalities in older people as extreme heat engulfed continent.

China’s car shipments to EU surge, but could be nearing peak: European analysts

The rapid ascent of Chinese car brands in Europe could be nearing a turning point as both the EU and Germany consider protectionist measures.

My Take | If anyone deserves a red card it’s Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino

If this World Cup is to be remembered as the best ever, it will be in spite of their efforts, not because of them.

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

How the rush for Chinese air conditioners exposes gap in EU trade policy

As a record heatwave drives Europeans to snap up imported cooling units, Brussels’ rhetoric clashes with consumer reality.

World Cup integrity questioned as Trump, Fifa defend Balogun suspension actions

Belgium’s football federation challenged Fifa’s ruling to overturn a ban on the US forward, who was cleared to play on Monday.

US at 250: has Europe learned to survive Trump’s America?

The transatlantic alliance has become unpredictable and even hostile, and many are wondering how much road it has left to run.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Suspended US footballer to play in next World Cup match after Fifa U-turn

Fifa denies that call from US President Donald Trump to Fifa’s Gianni Infantino led to unprecedented decision.

EU should learn from China’s energy tech, say heads of 2 French power giants

The EU can learn from China’s tech knowledge and speed capability in both renewable and nuclear power sectors.

Balogun’s ban suspended by Fifa, allowing US forward to play against Belgium

US President Donald Trump called Fifa President Gianni Infantino to ask him to review the suspension, The New York Times reported.

Why is a Chinese-made portable AC selling out across heat-stricken Europe?

Popularity of Midea’s PortaSplit fuels resale mark-ups and expedited shipping as renters favour plug-and-play cooling amid installation barriers.

Opinion | ‘Overcapacity’ talk reflects a West irked by China’s industrial rise

The issue is whether that irritation can be managed through rules, domestic renewal and cooperation or further fragments the world economy.

China-EU progress, Xi touts ‘global influence’, Nato summit

This week: China signals openness to cutting EU trade gap, President Xi hails Communist Party’s ‘significant global influence’ and factory activity returns to expansion. Next week: Nato summit takes place in Turkey, US moves towards new tariffs, Kung Fu Soccer may hit the screens, and more.

Exclusive | China signals openness to cut gaping EU trade gap as Brussels toughens stance

Beijing floats buying more European goods as the EU weighs new trade tools and presses for tangible progress by October.

European firms ‘becoming more reliant on China, not less’: EU chamber chief

Jens Eskelund tells conference in Berlin that Beijing can raise costs of confrontation beyond what other side is willing to bear.

At least 5 killed, many injured, in Belgium apartment block fire

The blaze broke out on the eighth floor of a residential building, with over 200 residents. Meanwhile, a fire has killed three in Germany.

EU seeks ‘tangible results’ on China trade deficit by October

Hopes of progress in paring the EU’s trade deficit with China by autumn will mean overcoming some seemingly insurmountable barriers.

China-EU joint statement on trade

China and the European Union issued a rare joint statement confirming the launch of a ministerial-level platform to ease bilateral economic tensions.

Letters | Hong Kong’s very own font would be a genuine world first

Video | Suspended US footballer to play in next World Cup match after Fifa U-turn