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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

last updated:

29 November, 2024

Flemish nationalist party N-VA leader Bart De Wever waves during a party congress in Antwerp on Sunday. Photo: AFP

European Union

Belgium turns to the right as new PM De Wever sworn in

Conservative Bart De Wever, 54, has also sought regional autonomy for his northern Flanders.

3 Feb 2025 - 6:06PMvideocam

Art

Restoring Rubens painting a tall order for Antwerp museum team

3 Feb 2025 - 4:15AM

Bonds

Hong Kong and Macau link bond systems to create larger market

21 Jan 2025 - 6:41PM

China-EU relations

Europe’s ‘China crisis’ looms as continent’s export gravy train stalls

As the EU’s auto industry reels from a slowing Chinese economy and cutthroat competition, analysts caution the worst is yet to come.

23 Jan 2025 - 1:55AMvideocam

Sluggish consumption in China has slashed Europe’s exports to the country and stifled demand there for products made by European companies. Photo: AFP

Christmas

Don’t eat your Christmas tree, Belgians warned, after city posts food tips

The Ghent website had suggestions on how to recycle the conifers at the dinner table, such as by making flavoured butter with the needles.

8 Jan 2025 - 6:07AM

China-EU relations

China, EU ‘very aware of what’s at stake’ in trade talks: Spanish envoy

Spain’s ambassador to Beijing Marta Betanzos tells audience at Renmin University that both sides will benefit from improved trading ties.

19 Dec 2024 - 3:42PMvideocam

Law

New Belgium law gives sex workers contracts, benefits and safety protection

Law gives access to health insurance, paid leave, maternity benefits, unemployment support and pensions.

2 Dec 2024 - 3:55PM

An empty chair inside a sex worker’s booth in Antwerp, Belgium. File photo: AP

Singapore

2 teens arrested after Singaporean student stabbed to death in Brussels

The suspects also harassed the 25-year-old during an evening out in the Belgian capital.

8 Nov 2024 - 2:05PM

Hong Kong

Belgian Days brings intercultural culinary delights to Hong Kong and Macau

From November 9 to 17, experience a taste of Belgium with culinary, musical and cinematic collaborations showcasing Belgian and local talent.

4 Nov 2024 - 5:45PM

China-EU relations

Exclusive | Chinese firm Nuctech wins EU tenders despite subsidies inquiry

Scanner maker awarded over €15 million in EU-financed contracts for equipment at Italian ports.

21 Oct 2024 - 11:47PMvideocam

Nuctech, a Chinese maker of scanning devices, has won EU-financed contracts even while under EU investigation for alleged subsidies violations. Image: Shutterstock

Taiwan

Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen to visit Europe in first overseas trip since stepping down

Details of 8-day visit kept quiet amid security concerns, reports say.

7 Oct 2024 - 8:00PMvideocam

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te and former leader Tsai Ing-wen discussed her coming trip at the presidential residence on Sunday. Photo: CNA

Sexual harassment and assault

Pope Francis pledges support for victims of sexual abuse during Belgium visit

Francis acknowledged that abuse had undermined the faith and created ‘atrocious suffering and wounds’.

28 Sep 2024 - 7:10PM

Catholic Church

Belgium PM blasts Pope Francis for Catholic Church sex abuse cover-up

The king also had strong words for the pope, demanding the church work ‘incessantly’ to atone for crimes and help victims heal after decades of revelations.

27 Sep 2024 - 6:41PM

China-EU relations

Germany lobbies fellow EU members to vote against tariffs on Chinese EVs

Efforts by Berlin come as China’s commerce minister is in Europe amid the trade dispute.

17 Sep 2024 - 5:21PMvideocam

Visitors at an electric vehicle expo in Frankfurt, Germany, look at a Zeekr automobile, manufactured by the Chinese company Geely. Photo: Xinhua

Bonds

Hong Kong, Macau to link bond markets to foster debt finance growth

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) will link its Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) to Macau Central Securities Depository and Clearing.

16 Sep 2024 - 6:39PM

Tourists at the Ruins of St. Paul, one of the iconic tourist attractions in Macau, on 3 July 2024. Photo: Elson Li.

Art

See where master painter Peter Paul Rubens made the magic happen

A partial reopening of the Rubens House in Antwerp – where Peter Paul Rubens created many of his famous paintings – gives a view into the Flemish painter’s life.

4 Sep 2024 - 4:15AM

English Premier League

FPL tips: Man Utd v Liverpool dilemma, why I picked Fulham defender over Arsenal

Those who followed my suggestions last week will be laughing, so let’s take a look at what’s in store ahead of Gameweek 3

29 Aug 2024 - 7:35PM

Electric & new energy vehicles

Dongfeng joins push of Chinese EV makers abroad with Zhiyin SUV

Chinese EV manufacturers are increasingly looking for business opportunities overseas as domestic competition and price war are intensifying in the world’s largest automotive market.

11 Aug 2024 - 5:14PM

Dongfeng Motor’s yet-to-open Voyah showroom at the Chamtime Plaza in Shanghai on Monday, March 8, 2021. Photo: Bloomberg

China-UK relations

China watching UK for signs of a thaw as new government weighs up its options

Keir Starmer’s administration is wrestling with the same dilemmas over security, trade and human rights that its EU neighbours are facing.

10 Aug 2024 - 4:03PMvideocam

Accidents and personal safety

Explainer | Is Hong Kong safe for cyclists following spike in fatal bike accidents?

The Post looks at the laws governing road safety for cyclists and how they can better protect themselves.

5 Aug 2024 - 7:04PM

Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky displays F-16 fighter jets to combat Russia in the air

Ukrainian pilots have started flying F-16s for operations within the nation, President Volodymyr Zelensky says.

5 Aug 2024 - 2:53PM

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and a Ukraine Air Force F-16 fighter jet. Photo: AP

Business of climate change

Budweiser beats emissions goal in China, reaffirms 2040 carbon neutral aim

Budweiser’s China unit has achieved its target of slashing carbon emissions by 25 per cent two years ahead of schedule.

7 Jul 2024 - 10:00AM

Budweiser beer products manufactured by Anheuser-Busch InBev NV sit on display during a news conference in Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Photo: Bloomberg

Food and Drinks

Language Matters | Where chocolate and cacao came from and the history of the words

On World Chocolate Day (July 7), Lisa Lim looks at the origins of chocolate and cacao, the history of the words and how they evolved, and why Europe was late to the party.

7 Jul 2024 - 3:53PM

Tourism

Off the beaten track in Europe: great food, art, in quiet corner of Belgium

Belgium’s Limburg province has few international visitors but the food, art and a special Japanese garden make this very traditional part of Europe a top off-the-beaten-path travel option.

7 Jul 2024 - 4:42PM

Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD is poised to build US$1 billion electric car plant in Turkey

The new factory would improve BYD’s access to the European Union, because Turkey has a customs-union agreement with the bloc.

6 Jul 2024 - 10:40AM

BYD’s electric cars awaited loading at the international container terminal of Taicang Port at Suzhou Port in eastern China’s Jiangsu province on September 11, 2023. Photo: AFP

Wimbledon

Meet rising tennis star Emma Navarro – whose dad is worth US$1.5 billion

Emma Navarro just beat Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon and is set to take on Russia’s Diana Shnaider next – here’s what you need to know about America’s rising star

6 Jul 2024 - 12:00AM

Eyes on the prize: America’s Emma Navarro is beginning to make waves at Wimbledon. Photo: @emma_navarro48/Instagram

Trending in China

Ex-China star Fan stuns social media with perfect Euro 2024 last-16 predictions

The former World Cup defender, who played club football in England and Hong Kong, made his picks all the way to the final on a Chinese sports show.

5 Jul 2024 - 5:44AM

Euro 2024

Les Bleus captain Mbappé must beat childhood idol Ronaldo to achieve Euros dream

The Frenchman famously grew up with posters of the Portugal skipper on his wall and will follow in his footsteps by moving to Real Madrid.

4 Jul 2024 - 4:11PM

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