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European Union

European Union
European Union
The latest breaking news and stories on the European Union (EU), an economic and political union of 27 member states mainly located in Europe, which accounts for around a sixth of global economic output. Also covering the EU’s relationship with the UK (post Brexit), China and the US, plus commentary and updates on EU legislation, the euro and trade.
Police officers search a field on the grounds of Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany in August after an attempted drone attack. Photo: dpa via AP
Germany

Germany blames Russia for attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport

Berlin says it will shut down a Russian consulate and take other actions, citing ‘hybrid attacks’ by Moscow.

Semiconductors

What’s next after China court freezes US$318 million in Nexperia assets?

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IPO

Shein slips on Hong Kong debut amid fast-fashion challenges

France

France takes aim at ultra-fast fashion with fee per garment

New policy targets platforms like Shein and Temu, which have exploded in popularity in France.

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A Shein display inside the BHV department store in Paris, France. Photo: AFP
Spain

Spain PM blames Russia, Israel for Ceuta migrant crisis’ disinformation

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also dismisses speculation on the involvement of Moroccan authorities in the crisis.

US-China trade war

Beijing pushes back on Washington’s attempt to rally G20 over trade imbalance

After US Treasury Secretary Bessent called for coordinated response from G20 towards China, Beijing urged consultation instead.

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China exports

As China-EU trade talk deadline nears, ex-Brussels official adopts bullish tone

The former president of the European Council says the two sides are approaching a common ground.

Former European Council president Charles Michel. Photo: Handout
China food security

China passes first law on farmland protection and improvement

Law orders provincial-level governments to ensure that total amount of arable land does not decrease.

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China manufacturing

China’s factory activity improves in August, but stays in contraction

The PMI index was up last month to 49.8 from 49.2 in July, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.

Iceland

Iceland votes to reject proposal to restart EU accession talks

Referendum fails as voters prioritise control over fishing grounds over pro-EU government’s push for geopolitical stability.

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A boat leaves the harbour in Reykjavik, Iceland, after voters rejected a proposal to restart European Union accession talks in a nationwide referendum. Photo: Reuters
Britain

New UK PM Burnham’s honeymoon ends as Trump, first budget loom large

Since succeeding Keir Starmer, Burnham has pleased voters with several low-cost sweeteners, including cutting electricity bills and bus fares.

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Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham holds a pint of beer during a visit to the Hare Inn in Harlow, east of London with the Chancellor John Healy (centre) on July 23. Photo: AFP
China exports

From air conditioners to taps, Europe’s climate extremes boost China sales

Chinese makers of low-flow taps, garden gear and insulated drinkware are seeing European orders surge as heatwaves and drought reshape demand.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese battery giant CATL spreads investments in search of new growth drivers

World’s largest producer of lithium-ion batteries for EVs and energy storage systems has committed over 17 billion yuan to non-battery deals.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky urges China to use diplomatic weight to end Russia’s war with Ukraine

Kyiv releases Chinese president’s Independence Day greeting as top envoy urges broader Black Sea security cooperation.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged China to help end the Ukraine war, drawing attention to a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: AFP
China manufacturing

BeiDou satellite navigation system covers 90% of ‘key industry’ uses: ministry

39 pilot cities added 2.96 million BeiDou positioning terminals in first half of this year, up 30 per cent year on year.

Farmers operate BeiDou-equipped agricultural machinery in a soybean field in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province in June. Photo: Xinhua
China-Latin America relations

Brazil fines TikTok record US$30 million for profiting from children’s data

ByteDance penalised for allegedly collecting data from 1 in 5 Brazilian children and failing to block minors from using TikTok.

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Middle East

Opinion | Could Mecca defence pact be first step to new Middle East order?

As security deal shakes up calculations for the US, China and Russia, a regional order shaped by regional states is no longer unthinkable.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | For states, being part of everything doesn’t mean being part of nothing

The opposite of commitment is breach, not multiplicity. A nation’s reliability isn’t measured by how many treaties it signs.

The United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York on March 25. Governments increasingly face the same demand: prove the depth of your commitment by closing the door on everyone else. Photo: Zuma press wire / dpa
Hong Kong politics

Beijing slams West for criticising Hong Kong court verdict in Tiananmen vigil case

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian hits out at ‘certain countries and organisations’ for using judicial cases to smear Hong Kong.

China trade

China and Switzerland have a new trade agreement. What does it mean for the EU?

The move, seen by analysts as a signal to the EU, will eventually double duty-free coverage included in 12-year-old free-trade agreement.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky details rift with Ukraine’s dismissed defence minister Fedorov

The president said inaccurate defence ministry information contributed to an awkward encounter with Trump over the use of Starlink in Russia.

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Mykhailo Fedorov speaks at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine on July 1 when he Ukraine’s defence minister. Photo: Reuters
Yuan

Opinion | Deutsche Bank’s yuan mandate boosts Chinese currency’s global reach

The clearing mandate from China elevates Frankfurt as a primary hub for offshore renminbi settlement, challenging London’s dominance.

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A woman sits in front of the Deutsche Bank central headquarters in Frankfurt on July 22. The People’s Bank of China has authorised Deutsche Bank to serve as a renminbi clearing bank, making it the first European lender to receive such approval. Photo: EPA
China trade

European wine producers seek new markets as China sales dream sours

Imports of bottled wine from the EU fell 16.6 per cent by volume in the first half of this year, according to Chinese customs data.

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Crime

Sword attack that killed 1 at Sweden high school prompts social media probe

Police are investigating whether the teenager who carried out the attack was involved in online communities promoting school violence.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong hits back at Western ‘slander’ over verdict on Tiananmen vigil leaders

Authorities say court verdict ‘well-reasoned and sound’ after alliance and its leaders found guilty of inciting subversion.

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A Correctional Services Department vehicle arrives at West Kowloon Court on Friday. Photo: Handout
China energy security

In Focus | China, the US and EU are taking separate climate paths – but are any dead ends?

As Beijing enacts a state-led approach to climate adaptation, Washington leans on the private sector and Brussels tries to chart a middle way.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China-EU relations

China’s trade grip tightens in Europe as clock ticks towards October deadline

As Brussels continues its push to rebalance ties, the latest data show China’s trade surplus expanded over all but three EU members in July.

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China-EU relations

The Mistral paradox: Europe’s push for tech sovereignty relies on China’s Z.ai

AI race contender’s decision to offer GLM-5.2 a sign of how European political and commercial incentives can pull in different directions.

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