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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

France’s position is well-known, with President Emmanuel Macron on Friday calling for a European “Section 301 tool”. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Major EU countries push for tougher China policy ahead of Brussels debate

Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Lithuania call for more aggressive response to ‘systemic and structural industrial overcapacity’.

6 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Paul Chan urges closer Europe ties, dialogue to work out differences

24 May 2026 - 7:55PM

China-EU relations

China’s commerce chief Wang Wentao expected in Brussels on June 29-30: sources

22 May 2026 - 2:04PMvideocam

US-China relations

US foreign affairs chairman warns of China role in Argentina contract bid

Brian Mast’s letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concerns an auction for a contract to dredge and operate Argentina’s Parana River.

22 May 2026 - 4:46AM

A dredging boat of the Luxembourg-based company Jan De Nul sprays sand at the shore on the Parana river near Rosario, Argentina. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Chinese investment in Europe surges to 7-year high despite rising trade tensions

But study warns that new project pipeline appears to be drying up, as Chinese investors face pressure from both Beijing and Brussels.

20 May 2026 - 5:04PMvideocam

China-EU relations

China’s firms in Europe chose to save on legal services. Will it cost them?

Chinese companies, often reluctant to pay for legal services, are encountering greater compliance issues as they expand into a stricter EU.

19 May 2026 - 9:02AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong finance chief woos French wealth managers as European tour starts

Paul Chan, who arrived in Paris on Monday, met representatives of French asset management association and think tank Asia Centre in Paris, sources say.

19 May 2026 - 8:30AM

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po in Paris. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Paul Chan is heading to Europe. So what’s on the itinerary?

Finance chief’s trip announced on Sunday and follows easing of tensions after US President Donald Trump visited mainland China.

17 May 2026 - 10:10PM

China-EU relations

Beijing invokes legal blockade against EU investigation into Nuctech

The Ministry of Commerce condemned Brussels for escalating the probe, accusing the bloc of coercing Chinese banking institutions.

16 May 2026 - 6:05PM

European Union

EU won’t ban LGBTQ ‘conversion therapy’ but will push states to act

Such bans already exist in eight of the EU’s 27 nations.

13 May 2026 - 9:18PM

European Union outside EU headquarters in Brussels. The EU stopped short of heeding a call by over a million people, who signed a petition last May calling on the 27-country bloc to prohibit conversion therapy. Photo: AP

China-EU relations

‘Frogs in a well’: Chinese diplomat slams Europe’s ‘outdated’ approach to China

Foreign ministry’s European Affairs chief warns about pitfalls of protectionism, says Beijing ready to address Brussels’ concerns.

12 May 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Li Jian has urged Europe to develop greater “confidence” in China and to see the whole picture when trying to understand Chinese development. Photo: Weibo

US-China relations

Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot

As fractures within the US’ network of alliances deepen, China’s strategic window opens a little wider, with some key caveats.

10 May 2026 - 8:30PM

China-EU relations

China-EU investment pact belongs in ‘deep freezer’: outgoing trade chief

Sabine Weyand says the 2020 agreement with China is obsolete as Brussels weighs action on ‘macroeconomic imbalances’.

7 May 2026 - 4:36PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU sounds out industry over new trade weapon against China’s overcapacity

Brussels is polling business groups ahead of commissioners’ meeting but few details of the proposed instrument have been revealed.

5 May 2026 - 5:48PMvideocam

A proposed new tool to tackle competition from China’s manufacturers is expected to be considered by EU commissioners on May 29. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

4 May 2026 - 10:30PM

An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy speedboat approaches the cargo ship Epaminondas during what state media described as the seizure of one of two vessels accused of violations in the Strait of Hormuz on April 21. Photo: Tasnim News Agency via AP

United States

US and Nato in frustrating ‘marriage crisis’, Belgian defence minister says

Theo Francken believed the strained transatlantic relationship should remain ‘united’, although sometimes Nato ‘can be a paper tiger’.

29 Apr 2026 - 11:42AMvideocam

Indonesia

Rock and hard place: why Indonesia is ignoring EU ban to secure Russian oil

Indonesia’s Karimun is the first non-Russian oil terminal to be sanctioned by Brussels since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022.

28 Apr 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China exports

Flood of small parcels from China pushes Belgian airport to limit

Belgium’s top customs official says main problem is that many products do not meet EU standards.

25 Apr 2026 - 3:00PM

Parcels at the Cainiao Liege eHub in the city’s airport zone, which handles products from China sold on Alibaba’s AliExpress platform. Photo: Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Britain

UK bill to allow assisted dying fails as parliamentary time runs out

Opponents of the bill have managed to hold up its passing by filing more than 1,200 amendments.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:36PM

Ukraine war

EU approves US$106 billion loan to Ukraine after Hungary lifts veto

The loan will help Ukraine meet its economic and military needs for the next two years.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:41PMvideocam

European Union

EU unveils age-check app amid efforts to better protect children online

The app will allow users to prove their age when accessing online platforms and is ‘completely anonymous’ to ensure data cannot be tracked.

15 Apr 2026 - 8:15PM

An illustration shows an EU flag and smartphone with social media app icons displayed. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

Without fanfare, Brussels will stop funding for projects that use the Chinese-made devices as part of a ‘do more, say less’ strategy.

25 Apr 2026 - 5:14AMvideocam

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Photo: Reuters

China trade

Hungary’s PM-elect Magyar sends warm overture to China, vows fair play for firms

Peter Magyar pledges reforms to restore transparency and fiscal stability as Hungary shifts from Viktor Orban’s investment model.

14 Apr 2026 - 12:37AMvideocam

Hungary

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:42AM

China manufacturing

Chinese firms in Hungary face a post-election reckoning – no matter who wins

With opposition Tisza party leading in the polls, businesses ponder implications if Orban’s Fidesz party loses 16-year grip on power.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:57PM

People attend an election rally for Hungary’s governing Fidesz party in Debrecen on Thursday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

China sidelined: EU shelves rare debate as Middle East crisis takes priority

Delay risks entrenching a policy vacuum as member states diverge and Brussels struggles to evolve its approach.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

The meeting led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would have been the first dedicated China debate held under the EU’s new “security college” format. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

13 Apr 2026 - 6:40PMvideocam

France

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

The group had posted a video on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in Europe, naming Bank of America’s Paris headquarters.

2 Apr 2026 - 12:12AM

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Belgium

Major EU countries push for tougher China policy ahead of Brussels debate

Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Lithuania call for more aggressive response to ‘systemic and structural industrial overcapacity’.

Hong Kong’s Paul Chan urges closer Europe ties, dialogue to work out differences

China’s commerce chief Wang Wentao expected in Brussels on June 29-30: sources

US foreign affairs chairman warns of China role in Argentina contract bid

Brian Mast’s letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concerns an auction for a contract to dredge and operate Argentina’s Parana River.

Chinese investment in Europe surges to 7-year high despite rising trade tensions

But study warns that new project pipeline appears to be drying up, as Chinese investors face pressure from both Beijing and Brussels.

China’s firms in Europe chose to save on legal services. Will it cost them?

Chinese companies, often reluctant to pay for legal services, are encountering greater compliance issues as they expand into a stricter EU.

Hong Kong finance chief woos French wealth managers as European tour starts

Paul Chan, who arrived in Paris on Monday, met representatives of French asset management association and think tank Asia Centre in Paris, sources say.

Hong Kong’s Paul Chan is heading to Europe. So what’s on the itinerary?

Finance chief’s trip announced on Sunday and follows easing of tensions after US President Donald Trump visited mainland China.

Beijing invokes legal blockade against EU investigation into Nuctech

The Ministry of Commerce condemned Brussels for escalating the probe, accusing the bloc of coercing Chinese banking institutions.

EU won’t ban LGBTQ ‘conversion therapy’ but will push states to act

Such bans already exist in eight of the EU’s 27 nations.

‘Frogs in a well’: Chinese diplomat slams Europe’s ‘outdated’ approach to China

Foreign ministry’s European Affairs chief warns about pitfalls of protectionism, says Beijing ready to address Brussels’ concerns.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot

As fractures within the US’ network of alliances deepen, China’s strategic window opens a little wider, with some key caveats.

China-EU investment pact belongs in ‘deep freezer’: outgoing trade chief

Sabine Weyand says the 2020 agreement with China is obsolete as Brussels weighs action on ‘macroeconomic imbalances’.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | EU sounds out industry over new trade weapon against China’s overcapacity

Brussels is polling business groups ahead of commissioners’ meeting but few details of the proposed instrument have been revealed.

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

US and Nato in frustrating ‘marriage crisis’, Belgian defence minister says

Theo Francken believed the strained transatlantic relationship should remain ‘united’, although sometimes Nato ‘can be a paper tiger’.

Rock and hard place: why Indonesia is ignoring EU ban to secure Russian oil

Indonesia’s Karimun is the first non-Russian oil terminal to be sanctioned by Brussels since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022.

Flood of small parcels from China pushes Belgian airport to limit

Belgium’s top customs official says main problem is that many products do not meet EU standards.

UK bill to allow assisted dying fails as parliamentary time runs out

Opponents of the bill have managed to hold up its passing by filing more than 1,200 amendments.

EU approves US$106 billion loan to Ukraine after Hungary lifts veto

The loan will help Ukraine meet its economic and military needs for the next two years.

EU unveils age-check app amid efforts to better protect children online

The app will allow users to prove their age when accessing online platforms and is ‘completely anonymous’ to ensure data cannot be tracked.

Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

Without fanfare, Brussels will stop funding for projects that use the Chinese-made devices as part of a ‘do more, say less’ strategy.

Hungary’s PM-elect Magyar sends warm overture to China, vows fair play for firms

Peter Magyar pledges reforms to restore transparency and fiscal stability as Hungary shifts from Viktor Orban’s investment model.

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

Chinese firms in Hungary face a post-election reckoning – no matter who wins

With opposition Tisza party leading in the polls, businesses ponder implications if Orban’s Fidesz party loses 16-year grip on power.

China sidelined: EU shelves rare debate as Middle East crisis takes priority

Delay risks entrenching a policy vacuum as member states diverge and Brussels struggles to evolve its approach.

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

The group had posted a video on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in Europe, naming Bank of America’s Paris headquarters.

Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot

Exclusive | EU sounds out industry over new trade weapon against China’s overcapacity