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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

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

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.

5 hours ago

China-EU relations

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

30 Jun 2026 - 5:00PM

China-EU relations

China-EU joint statement on trade

30 Jun 2026 - 2:47PM

China-EU relations

EU sets China October deadline for ‘tangible results’ after key trade talks

Marathon session in Brussels sees Beijing agreeing to establish a ‘joint monitoring mechanism of trade flows’ to help ease economic tensions.

30 Jun 2026 - 2:12AMvideocam

E-commerce

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

29 Jun 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

China trade

As China dominates solar and energy sector, fears emerge over EU’s new crackdown

Brussels’ unease over European reliance on Chinese tech sees the bloc impose bans and restrictions, as fears mount on how far it will go.

29 Jun 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Serbia

Serbians keep up protest after president says he will step down in weeks

Protesters express satisfaction with Aleksandar Vucic’s resignation, but fear he may not fully relinquish power.

29 Jun 2026 - 11:20AM

People gathering for an anti-government protest in Kraljevo, Serbia on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong politics

Rise in elite civil servants leaving prompts calls for hiring rethink

Thirty-six administrative officers left in past financial year, up by a third, raising concerns over how ranks of top tier are replenished.

27 Jun 2026 - 8:01PM

China-Latin America relations

EU pitches Brazil a ‘more beneficial’ rare earths deal than US or China

EU’s Jozef Sikela promises refining investment and technology transfer, in a race for Brazilian minerals that the US and China already lead.

26 Jun 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Renewable energy

Why a Chinese renewables giant is pondering a majority localisation in Europe

Europe has prohibited Chinese renewable power inverters from being used in EU-funded projects, citing cybersecurity and dependency risks.

22 Jun 2026 - 3:45PMvideocam

Chinese renewable energy giant Envision Energy’s self-developed generators have surpassed 20,000 units delivered globally and it is planning further localisation efforts in Europe. Photo: handout

Climate change

‘Unprecedented’ Europe heatwave intensifies as temperatures pass 40 degrees

France records heat-related deaths, nations close schools and cancel trains, and wildlife shelters struggle to cope.

22 Jun 2026 - 7:58PM

Partygoers cool off under a water mist during the annual ‘Fête de la Musique’ street music festival in Bordeaux, France. Photo: AFP

My Take

My Take | The end of history has come and gone for Europe

EU bureaucrats thought they had left power politics behind. Now it is coming back to bite them.

21 Jun 2026 - 9:49PM

China-EU relations

Germany backs EU’s tough China line with call for ‘Plaza Accord’ talks on yuan

European Commission on a mission to craft tools to tackle what the bloc sees as China’s industrial excesses.

20 Jun 2026 - 1:06PMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU leaders ask Brussels to come up with new trade weapons to counter China shock

Late-night meeting ends with instruction to officials to engage with Beijing while preparing tools to defend Europe’s economy.

19 Jun 2026 - 7:23PMvideocam

Batches of four-wheel all-terrain vehicles and electric off-road motorcycles are rolling off production lines in China for delivery to European and American markets. Photo: Getty Images

China-EU relations

EU hits ‘make-or-break moment’ as divided leaders confront ‘China shock 2.0’

EU member states poised to confront internal divisions and launch aggressive trade defences against systemic threat posed by Beijing.

18 Jun 2026 - 10:17AMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU nations ready to battle ‘China Shock 2.0’ with tough new strategy

Broad coalition of EU members support new trade strategy to prevent China causing European deindustrialisation as key Brussels summit looms.

18 Jun 2026 - 2:29AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Why Europe’s fight against a ‘China shock 2.0’ could end before it even begins

Brussels currently lacks the firepower to win a trade clash with China – and Beijing is not in a mood to make concessions, analysts warn.

17 Jun 2026 - 9:14AMvideocam

European Union

EU bows to Trump pressure on tariffs but warns of future chaos

Trump has threatened ‘much higher’ levies if the EU does not remove import duties on US industrial goods by July 4.

16 Jun 2026 - 9:25PM

Members of the European Parliament take part in an electronic vote on the adjustment of customs duties and opening of tariff quotas for the import of certain US goods in Strasbourg on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Europe is blaming China’s economic rise for its own failures, think tank says

It comes as Beijing reportedly cancelled two meetings with the EU this month, and as the bloc prepares for key talks on China policy.

12 Jun 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Have trade tensions scuppered EU-China talks ahead of tough Brussels decisions?

June 23 meeting in Beijing postponed without warning as bilateral ties deteriorate on a near-daily basis.

11 Jun 2026 - 5:39PMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU needs a ‘dedicated instrument’ to unwind China dependencies, trade chief says

The bloc may force companies to diversify their suppliers, after Beijing’s use of export controls put pressure on EU industry.

6 Jun 2026 - 3:23PMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU trade chief swipes at China overcapacity, but vows ‘meaningful’ discussions

Maros Sefcovic made the remarks after meeting China’s chief trade negotiator, but says both sides are focused on mutual success.

5 Jun 2026 - 12:06AM

European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic, seen in May, says the EU is seeking “meaningful and sustainable" discussions with Beijing. Photo: pool via AP

China-EU relations

EU, China hold talks as trade war looms

China trade envoy Li Chenggang is to meet EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic to set up a platform for discussing trade and investment as Europe considers a tougher approach to stem a flood of low-cost Chinese imports.

4 Jun 2026 - 5:01PM

China trade

Why China is defending industrial subsidies against ‘one-sided’ OECD report

The dispute comes as industrial policy becomes a major point of contention in global trade, particularly in hi-tech and strategic sectors.

4 Jun 2026 - 5:00PM

China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU and China set for Paris talks this week as trade war fears mount

Bloc puts ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach to test in high-stakes meeting with Beijing’s international trade envoy on sidelines of OECD meeting.

3 Jun 2026 - 8:55PMvideocam

While there is acknowledgement in the EU of the growing quality of Chinese exporters, concern remains that it is tainted by unfair trading practices that make competition impossible for European firms. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

As EU mulls trade tools, China vows to take steps against any new restrictions

While warning of retaliation against ‘new trade instruments’, Beijing says China-EU communication channels remain open.

31 May 2026 - 8:32PMvideocam

China’s commerce ministry says China and the EU are exploring a trade and investment consultation mechanism, but it has not offered details of the plan. Photo: CN-STR/AFP

China-EU relations

Brussels agrees on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation

Trade chief details why bloc needs to take stronger steps to defend itself from what is described as a new ‘China shock’ to its industries.

30 May 2026 - 1:06AMvideocam

China-EU relations

JD.com’s US$2.6 billion bid for Germany’s Ceconomy faces deeper EU scrutiny

European Commission launches in-depth investigation under Foreign Subsidies Regulation in latest instance of Brussels-Beijing tensions.

28 May 2026 - 11:53PM

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Belgium

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

China-EU joint statement on trade

EU sets China October deadline for ‘tangible results’ after key trade talks

Marathon session in Brussels sees Beijing agreeing to establish a ‘joint monitoring mechanism of trade flows’ to help ease economic tensions.

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

As China dominates solar and energy sector, fears emerge over EU’s new crackdown

Brussels’ unease over European reliance on Chinese tech sees the bloc impose bans and restrictions, as fears mount on how far it will go.

Serbians keep up protest after president says he will step down in weeks

Protesters express satisfaction with Aleksandar Vucic’s resignation, but fear he may not fully relinquish power.

Rise in elite civil servants leaving prompts calls for hiring rethink

Thirty-six administrative officers left in past financial year, up by a third, raising concerns over how ranks of top tier are replenished.

EU pitches Brazil a ‘more beneficial’ rare earths deal than US or China

EU’s Jozef Sikela promises refining investment and technology transfer, in a race for Brazilian minerals that the US and China already lead.

Why a Chinese renewables giant is pondering a majority localisation in Europe

Europe has prohibited Chinese renewable power inverters from being used in EU-funded projects, citing cybersecurity and dependency risks.

‘Unprecedented’ Europe heatwave intensifies as temperatures pass 40 degrees

France records heat-related deaths, nations close schools and cancel trains, and wildlife shelters struggle to cope.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | The end of history has come and gone for Europe

EU bureaucrats thought they had left power politics behind. Now it is coming back to bite them.

Germany backs EU’s tough China line with call for ‘Plaza Accord’ talks on yuan

European Commission on a mission to craft tools to tackle what the bloc sees as China’s industrial excesses.

EU leaders ask Brussels to come up with new trade weapons to counter China shock

Late-night meeting ends with instruction to officials to engage with Beijing while preparing tools to defend Europe’s economy.

EU hits ‘make-or-break moment’ as divided leaders confront ‘China shock 2.0’

EU member states poised to confront internal divisions and launch aggressive trade defences against systemic threat posed by Beijing.

EU nations ready to battle ‘China Shock 2.0’ with tough new strategy

Broad coalition of EU members support new trade strategy to prevent China causing European deindustrialisation as key Brussels summit looms.

Why Europe’s fight against a ‘China shock 2.0’ could end before it even begins

Brussels currently lacks the firepower to win a trade clash with China – and Beijing is not in a mood to make concessions, analysts warn.

EU bows to Trump pressure on tariffs but warns of future chaos

Trump has threatened ‘much higher’ levies if the EU does not remove import duties on US industrial goods by July 4.

Europe is blaming China’s economic rise for its own failures, think tank says

It comes as Beijing reportedly cancelled two meetings with the EU this month, and as the bloc prepares for key talks on China policy.

Have trade tensions scuppered EU-China talks ahead of tough Brussels decisions?

June 23 meeting in Beijing postponed without warning as bilateral ties deteriorate on a near-daily basis.

EU needs a ‘dedicated instrument’ to unwind China dependencies, trade chief says

The bloc may force companies to diversify their suppliers, after Beijing’s use of export controls put pressure on EU industry.

EU trade chief swipes at China overcapacity, but vows ‘meaningful’ discussions

Maros Sefcovic made the remarks after meeting China’s chief trade negotiator, but says both sides are focused on mutual success.

EU, China hold talks as trade war looms

China trade envoy Li Chenggang is to meet EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic to set up a platform for discussing trade and investment as Europe considers a tougher approach to stem a flood of low-cost Chinese imports.

Why China is defending industrial subsidies against ‘one-sided’ OECD report

The dispute comes as industrial policy becomes a major point of contention in global trade, particularly in hi-tech and strategic sectors.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | EU and China set for Paris talks this week as trade war fears mount

Bloc puts ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach to test in high-stakes meeting with Beijing’s international trade envoy on sidelines of OECD meeting.

As EU mulls trade tools, China vows to take steps against any new restrictions

While warning of retaliation against ‘new trade instruments’, Beijing says China-EU communication channels remain open.

Brussels agrees on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation

Trade chief details why bloc needs to take stronger steps to defend itself from what is described as a new ‘China shock’ to its industries.

JD.com’s US$2.6 billion bid for Germany’s Ceconomy faces deeper EU scrutiny

European Commission launches in-depth investigation under Foreign Subsidies Regulation in latest instance of Brussels-Beijing tensions.

My Take | The end of history has come and gone for Europe

Exclusive | EU and China set for Paris talks this week as trade war fears mount