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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

An Opel employee works on its Astra passenger car assembly line in Ruesselsheim, Germany, in June. Photo: AFP

China exports

Job losses mount at German carmakers as China challenge grows

Automotive industry shed more than 40,000 jobs – 5.8 per cent of its workforce – in first half of year, statistical office says.

17 Aug 2026 - 4:34PM

European Union

Belgium battles worst wildfire on record, EU allies come to aid

16 Aug 2026 - 6:09PM

Singapore

Meet the Singaporean DJ taking local sounds to the global stage

15 Aug 2026 - 11:07AM

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmakers could capture 15% to 30% of European market by 2035: analysts

‘Made in Europe’ requirement in EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act cited as key factor in lowest growth forecast.

13 Aug 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Cars destined for export await loading onto BYD’s Shenzhen car carrier at the port in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, in April. Photo: AFP

China trade

EU’s new packaging rules leave China’s traders feeling boxed in

As trade tensions rise, Brussels has implemented new rules aimed at reducing packaging waste, with the threat of fines and bans for non-compliance.

12 Aug 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong designer sues Prada for US$5m over abandoned Rolls-Royce project

City-based Belgian designer Jonathan Riss accuses fashion giant of breaching various written and verbal agreements.

7 Aug 2026 - 11:45PM

US-China relations

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

7 Aug 2026 - 11:07PMvideocam

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong market regulator flags more firms on share concentration

SFC notes 13 cases so far this year, already close to last year’s total of 15, and warns a lack of public float can lead to high volatility.

6 Aug 2026 - 3:42PM

China-EU relations

What would a German audit for Chinese supply chain dependencies find?

Although many analysts deem the search long overdue, they warn that German leverage would be both hard to implement and short-lived.

5 Aug 2026 - 4:01PM

Science

Shenzhen-based AI mathematician Yurii Nesterov wins top prize in applied maths

‘Crazy to stop right now’: researcher rejects retirement to build on his 40-year legacy during the golden age of artificial intelligence.

4 Aug 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Shenzhen-based AI mathematician Yurii Nesterov has won the highest honour in the global applied mathematics community – the Carl Friedrich Gauss Prize. Photo: Handout

China exports

Why US, EU curbs on Chinese power inverters risk upending green supply chains

As Western governments move to end dependence on world’s top producer, analysts warn rapid decoupling could drive up costs and derail projects.

2 Aug 2026 - 5:00PM

Staff members assemble inverters at an industrial park in Tongxin county in Wuzhong, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on February 20, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

Exclusive | Top EU diplomat Kallas expected to visit Beijing amid deepest strains in years

It will be Kaja Kallas’ first solo trip to China since taking on her role in 2024.

1 Aug 2026 - 2:57PMvideocam

European Union

New EU team to crack down on AI deepfakes, illicit images and hacking

Dozens more staff in Brussels will work to rein in AI to move towards a situation that ‘people and businesses can understand and trust’.

31 Jul 2026 - 6:39PMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU-China trade: Beijing turns the screws as Brussels tests limits of restraint

Latest sanctions suggest Chinese effort to ramp up pressure on Europe and strike fear into member states before crunch time in October.

31 Jul 2026 - 5:00PM

Europe’s biggest defence company, Rheinmetall, is among 14 EU entities on China’s export ban list. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Sino-German auto talks focus on smart EV standards amid trade tensions

The push for cooperation comes as Chinese carmakers seek to validate their driverless technology in European markets.

31 Jul 2026 - 5:23PM

The assembly line for smart EVs at Geely’s Automotive Manufacturing Base in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, on December 12, 2024. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

China exports

China-made vessel carries record EVs in shipment from Shanghai to Europe

A new China-made roll-on, roll-off carrier set a new domestic record for number of vehicles shipped in one voyage.

28 Jul 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

China technology

Open Questions | Nobel laureate Simon Johnson on the AI race and China’s ‘over-automation’ risks

The Nobel Prize-winning economist discusses how AI is reshaping US-China competition – and poses unique challenges for both economies.

27 Jul 2026 - 9:51AMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU waters down Russia sanctions over fears China could seize key LNG assets

Bloc concludes banning Greek companies from transporting Russian gas to third countries may hand strategic shipping advantages to Beijing.

24 Jul 2026 - 1:44AMvideocam

The Sun Arrows tanker loads its cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the port of Prigorodnoye, Russia. The EU has watered down sanctions on Moscow amid fears that China could seize crucial LNG assets. Photo: AP

European Union

EU fines Google US$1 billion, risking US fury

The fines are the biggest in total against one company under the competition law known as the Digital Markets Act.

23 Jul 2026 - 6:32PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Beijing vows to protect Chinese firms after EU hits Alibaba unit with fine

Commerce officials decry “discriminatory” barriers as source says firm had hired several outside consultants to vet goods and curb counterfeits.

22 Jul 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Alibaba

Alibaba vows to appeal US$629m EU fine for breaches of Digital Services Act

The e-commerce firm described the fine as ‘disproportionate’ and said it did not reflect ‘significant, proactive enhancements’ it undertook.

21 Jul 2026 - 12:04AM

The AliExpress app icon is seen on a smartphone screen. Photo: Shutterstock Images

China-EU relations

Can Europe win a trade war with China? It may depend on how victory is defined

Brussels is increasingly determined to ensure core industries survive if confrontation with Beijing proves unavoidable.

20 Jul 2026 - 10:56PMvideocam

Some in Brussels believe the trade war is already under way. Photo: Shutterstock

European Union

EU fines AliExpress US$630 million over illegal products

It is the largest fine ever imposed under the EU’s powerful Digital Services Act, part of the bloc’s legal armoury to police big tech.

20 Jul 2026 - 7:25PMvideocam

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.

19 Jul 2026 - 6:32PM

Science

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

New fabrication method speeds up production time for photonic chips via parallel processing technology.

19 Jul 2026 - 2:19PMvideocam

Photonic chips are at the centre of the race to develop next-gen AI hardware. Photo: Getty Images

Electric & new energy vehicles

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

New regulations will help EU produce electric vehicles at a price point to match China, but European job losses would be among trade-offs.

21 Jul 2026 - 3:17PMvideocam

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

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

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Belgium

Job losses mount at German carmakers as China challenge grows

Automotive industry shed more than 40,000 jobs – 5.8 per cent of its workforce – in first half of year, statistical office says.

Belgium battles worst wildfire on record, EU allies come to aid

Meet the Singaporean DJ taking local sounds to the global stage

Chinese carmakers could capture 15% to 30% of European market by 2035: analysts

‘Made in Europe’ requirement in EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act cited as key factor in lowest growth forecast.

EU’s new packaging rules leave China’s traders feeling boxed in

As trade tensions rise, Brussels has implemented new rules aimed at reducing packaging waste, with the threat of fines and bans for non-compliance.

Hong Kong designer sues Prada for US$5m over abandoned Rolls-Royce project

City-based Belgian designer Jonathan Riss accuses fashion giant of breaching various written and verbal agreements.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

Hong Kong market regulator flags more firms on share concentration

SFC notes 13 cases so far this year, already close to last year’s total of 15, and warns a lack of public float can lead to high volatility.

What would a German audit for Chinese supply chain dependencies find?

Although many analysts deem the search long overdue, they warn that German leverage would be both hard to implement and short-lived.

Shenzhen-based AI mathematician Yurii Nesterov wins top prize in applied maths

‘Crazy to stop right now’: researcher rejects retirement to build on his 40-year legacy during the golden age of artificial intelligence.

Why US, EU curbs on Chinese power inverters risk upending green supply chains

As Western governments move to end dependence on world’s top producer, analysts warn rapid decoupling could drive up costs and derail projects.

Exclusive | Top EU diplomat Kallas expected to visit Beijing amid deepest strains in years

It will be Kaja Kallas’ first solo trip to China since taking on her role in 2024.

New EU team to crack down on AI deepfakes, illicit images and hacking

Dozens more staff in Brussels will work to rein in AI to move towards a situation that ‘people and businesses can understand and trust’.

EU-China trade: Beijing turns the screws as Brussels tests limits of restraint

Latest sanctions suggest Chinese effort to ramp up pressure on Europe and strike fear into member states before crunch time in October.

Sino-German auto talks focus on smart EV standards amid trade tensions

The push for cooperation comes as Chinese carmakers seek to validate their driverless technology in European markets.

China-made vessel carries record EVs in shipment from Shanghai to Europe

A new China-made roll-on, roll-off carrier set a new domestic record for number of vehicles shipped in one voyage.

Open Questions | Nobel laureate Simon Johnson on the AI race and China’s ‘over-automation’ risks

The Nobel Prize-winning economist discusses how AI is reshaping US-China competition – and poses unique challenges for both economies.

EU waters down Russia sanctions over fears China could seize key LNG assets

Bloc concludes banning Greek companies from transporting Russian gas to third countries may hand strategic shipping advantages to Beijing.

EU fines Google US$1 billion, risking US fury

The fines are the biggest in total against one company under the competition law known as the Digital Markets Act.

Beijing vows to protect Chinese firms after EU hits Alibaba unit with fine

Commerce officials decry “discriminatory” barriers as source says firm had hired several outside consultants to vet goods and curb counterfeits.

Alibaba vows to appeal US$629m EU fine for breaches of Digital Services Act

The e-commerce firm described the fine as ‘disproportionate’ and said it did not reflect ‘significant, proactive enhancements’ it undertook.

Can Europe win a trade war with China? It may depend on how victory is defined

Brussels is increasingly determined to ensure core industries survive if confrontation with Beijing proves unavoidable.

EU fines AliExpress US$630 million over illegal products

It is the largest fine ever imposed under the EU’s powerful Digital Services Act, part of the bloc’s legal armoury to police big tech.

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

New fabrication method speeds up production time for photonic chips via parallel processing technology.

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

New regulations will help EU produce electric vehicles at a price point to match China, but European job losses would be among trade-offs.

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.

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc