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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

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

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.

1 hour agovideocam

China-EU relations

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

30 May 2026 - 1:06AMvideocam

China-EU relations

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

28 May 2026 - 11:53PM

China-EU relations

EU heavyweights back industrial accelerator as China shock fears grow

Highlighting urgency, bloc’s major members offer qualified support of legislative proposal that has deepened tensions with Beijing.

28 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Adolfo Urso, Italy’s business minister, urges the EU to move quickly and pass the Industrial Accelerator Act. Photo: EPA

China-EU relations

Europe plans tougher response to China Shock 2.0

EU officials will discuss new trade protection measures at a meeting on Friday as the continent’s companies contend with a deluge of Chinese imports.

28 May 2026 - 5:00PM

European Union

‘Extremely violent’: 2 students among 4 dead in Belgium after train hits school bus

Belgium, ⁠where a dense railway network criss-crosses towns and villages, has a history of accidents at level crossings.

26 May 2026 - 9:49PM

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Paul Chan’s trip just one step in strengthening relations with Europe

Hong Kong must continue to build on the finance secretary’s visit to highlight the city’s financial strengths and ease concerns over money laundering.

26 May 2026 - 7:15AM

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po walks down a street in Paris. Photo: Handout

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’.

25 May 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

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

Finance chief says opportunities exist to tap city’s capital markets, while acknowledging concerns over trade imbalances.

24 May 2026 - 7:55PM

China-EU relations

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

As trade differences continue to bite between Beijing and the European Union, could a face-to-face meeting help to ease tensions?

22 May 2026 - 2:04PMvideocam

Clashes between the European Union and China have grown louder in recent weeks, as the EU embarks on new policies designed to counter the shock to its industrial base. Photo: AFP

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

Financial Secretary Paul Chan’s trip will take him to Paris, Brussels and Zurich. Photo: Handout

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

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

People protest for the assisted dying bill outside parliament in London on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

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

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Belgium

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

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

EU heavyweights back industrial accelerator as China shock fears grow

Highlighting urgency, bloc’s major members offer qualified support of legislative proposal that has deepened tensions with Beijing.

Europe plans tougher response to China Shock 2.0

EU officials will discuss new trade protection measures at a meeting on Friday as the continent’s companies contend with a deluge of Chinese imports.

‘Extremely violent’: 2 students among 4 dead in Belgium after train hits school bus

Belgium, ⁠where a dense railway network criss-crosses towns and villages, has a history of accidents at level crossings.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Paul Chan’s trip just one step in strengthening relations with Europe

Hong Kong must continue to build on the finance secretary’s visit to highlight the city’s financial strengths and ease concerns over money laundering.

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

Finance chief says opportunities exist to tap city’s capital markets, while acknowledging concerns over trade imbalances.

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

As trade differences continue to bite between Beijing and the European Union, could a face-to-face meeting help to ease tensions?

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.

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-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}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.

Editorial | Paul Chan’s trip just one step in strengthening relations with Europe

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