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France
The latest breaking news and stories on France, a country in western Europe known as a semi-presidential republic, and the world’s seventh largest economy. Also covering France’s relationship with China and Europe, plus commentary and updates on France’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
Paris
Head of State
President Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron
Head of Government
Prime Minister Michel Barnier
Visitors view a table set with plates and glasses for official dinners at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Items of silverware and table service worth thousands of dollars have been stolen from the palace. Photo: AP
Crime

Elysee Palace steward arrested for stealing silver worth up to US$47,000

Among the items recovered were copper saucepans, Sevres porcelain, a Rene Lalique statuette and Baccarat champagne glasses.

Middle East

Macron, on UAE visit, announces new French aircraft carrier

China’s military

J-16s vs Rafales: Chinese air force puts jets to the war-game test

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Ukraine war

Russia says Putin open to Ukraine war talks with France’s Macron

Moscow’s response came after the French president urged Europe to ‘re-engage’ with the Russian leader.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin tastes pastries in Moscow on Saturday. Photo: Sputnik/Kremlin via AP
US-China relations

Editorial | Less hostility towards China in new US security strategy is welcome

The plan’s watering down of America’s antagonism towards China bodes well for both nations and the world.

Emmanuel Macron

African teen who raised Macron’s ire with fake French coup video has no regrets

The Burkinabe teen said he had posted the fake video as a way to make money but despite millions of views, only earned US$8.

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Ukraine war

Rubio says won’t force deal on Ukraine as Europeans join Miami talks

Trump envoys are meeting officials from Kyiv and Moscow, but the question of ceding territory remains a stumbling block in negotiations.

Residents react at the site of a Russian air strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
European Union

Shein avoids France site ban after removing illegal goods

French court rejects Shein site ban, citing sporadic offences, as platform removes illicit items, but must enforce age checks for adult products.

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US-China relations

TikTok seals US deal but core algorithm could still rattle ties with China

Compliance questions remain and Beijing’s approval for the spin-off is not guaranteed, observers say.

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New World Development

Rosewood opens French ski resort after sources say hotel brand is not for sale

Luxury hotel group announces Courchevel resort’s opening, just days after sources said the prized brand was not for sale.

General view of the Rosewood Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Palace Museum says Egyptian exhibition will be most profitable show yet

About 700,000 people expected to visit display over nine-month run, director Louis Ng says.

A coffin displayed as part of the “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums” at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Photo: Sam Tsang
Crime

‘Used medicine to kill’: French doctor jailed for life for poisoning patients

Prosecutors allege Frederic Pechier tampered with IV bags to discredit colleagues, resulting in 12 deaths, including a four-year-old.

China trade

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

Traditional European exports like cars are losing their appeal, while restrictions crimp sales of sought-after lithography machines.

China-EU relations

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

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EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc had to decide what option it wanted to take to ensure Ukraine received funding. Photo: dpa
Hong Kong transport

Elior Group begins training workers for Hong Kong aircraft disassembly industry

Company leaders optimistic firm can secure land for operations by third quarter of 2026, but call for tax breaks to boost nascent industry.

Instructor Martin Law (right), who was trained at Elior’s base in France, works with a trainee on an aircraft electrical supply system. Photo: Jonathan Wong
European Union

Opinion | A complicated new EU-China showdown is quietly taking shape

For now, both sides still need each other and there is nowhere else to turn. But behind this reliance, irritation and paranoia are rising.

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Paris

Louvre crisis: why jewel heist, staff unrest push museum to breaking point

A US$102 million jewel heist exposed the Louvre’s security flaws, but strikes and decaying infrastructure threaten the world’s most visited museum.

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The Philippines

Why the Philippine Army is turning to locally built remote weapons systems

The roll-out of the new Cobra weapon system is part of Manila’s push to build a self-reliant defence industry.

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Soldiers from the Armour Division operate the Cobra system during a demonstration in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac on Thursday. Photo: Philippine Army
European Union

As I see it | Russia will end the European Union, not the other way around

The end of history is more history, as Hegel might have said, with the postmodern unified EU potentially reverting back to rival modern states.

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China-EU relations

China slaps anti-dumping duties on EU pork, but lowers final rates

Beijing goes ahead with tariffs of up to 19.8 per cent on pork products from the European Union after intense lobbying by several leaders.

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China-EU relations

Opinion | Why China-France ties are blossoming in an era of global uncertainty

As Paris pursues strategic autonomy and Beijing seeks national rejuvenation, both powers are poised to reimagine a new global order.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping visit the Unesco-listed Dujiangyan site in Sichuan province on December 5. Given that Chinese presidents rarely take foreign leaders to the provinces, Macron’s visit to southwestern China is clearly a special gesture. Photo: Pool/Reuters
Food and agriculture

French farmers spray manure, block roads over cow ‘mass slaughter’ policy

Farmers in southern France are incensed by the government’s mandatory slaughter of herds to contain ‘lumpy skin disease’.

A tractor sprays liquid manure on the facade of Millau’s local government building during a farmers’ protest in the central France town on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Trending in China

Frenchman cycles 18,000km from hometown to China to support Lyme disease patients

24-year-old realises dream of riding bike to China by crossing more than 30 countries; describes standing on Great Wall as ‘awesome’.

China-EU relations

EU fears China’s role in Russia’s war on Ukraine is deepening

Multiple sources confirm increase in Beijing backing before China-Russia ties are discussed by ministers from the EU’s 27 members on Monday.

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China-EU relations

EU targets China’s Shein and Temu with new fees on low-value parcels

Tariffs’ impact may be limited given the Chinese e-commerce companies’ extensive warehouse and logistics networks across Europe.

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Both Shein and Temu have multiple distribution centres across Europe. Photo: Alarmy
United States

Outside In | It’s an expensive Christmas for Americans thanks to Trump’s tariffs

It’s been years since the US president extolled the virtues of trade wars: how much longer before he recognises tariffs harm the US economy?

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People walk by shop windows decorated for Christmas in New York on December 5. Photo: dpa
SCMP Highlights

China’s ‘most beautiful’ bodyguard, Asia’s fastest man retires: 7 highlights

From a revolutionary facility in Shandong province to Hongkongers casting their ballots, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Ukraine war

Zelensky floats referendum on territory, as US pressure mounts to end war

Ukraine’s president says Russia wants ‘the whole of Donbas’ in return for peace, but Ukrainians must have their say.

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