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Germany
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Germany

Germany
Germany
The latest breaking news and stories on Germany, a country in northern Europe known as a federal republic, and the world’s fourth largest economy. Also covering Germany’s relationship with China and Europe, plus commentary and updates on Germany’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
Berlin
Head of State
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Head of Government
Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Olaf Scholz
A worker on a car assembly line at the FAW-Volkswagen factory in Qingdao, Shandong province. Photo: AFP
China trade

German firms want tougher action on Beijing. So why are investments in China up?

Companies are caught between China’s growing competitive threat and its importance as a market, manufacturer and source of growth.

Espionage

German intelligence report warns of rising Chinese, Russian spy threat

Nato

Finland to join France’s forward nuclear deterrent

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War and conflict

My Take | US-Israeli failure to bomb Iran into submission was preordained

From Nazi Germany to Vietnam, history is rich with examples of countries that simply refuse to surrender to bombing.

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A billboard depicting US President Donald Trump underwater amid explosions, with the words “Great Victory! Strait of Hormuz”, in Tehran, Iran, on August 24. Photo: AP
China-Africa relations

China bets on early Sudan deals to secure post-war economic edge

Lack of leverage by army-backed government in Khartoum may allow Chinese firms to secure favourable investment terms.

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On Our Radar

HKLGFF: 37 years of queer cinema, from Leslie Cheung to RuPaul

Asia’s longest-running international LGBTQ film festival invites Hong Kong audiences on an emotional, cinematic ride, with a revamped programming featuring six distinct ‘moods’.

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China-EU relations

Why Sweden, once one of Beijing’s most outspoken critics, has changed its tune

Driven by geopolitical shifts and critical industrial needs, Stockholm is expected to pivot towards Beijing to shield its economic future.

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Election campaign posters are displayed in central Stockholm. Photo: AFP
China economy

Opinion | Why China is steering clear of the US’ ‘exorbitant privilege’ model

Beijing is decoupling the internationalisation of the yuan as a transactional currency from the role of an unconstrained global reserve store of value.

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South Korea

Can a US$6 trillion South Korea-Japan economic bloc succeed?

A South Korean tycoon’s proposal could create the world’s fourth-biggest economic bloc, if both countries put history behind them.

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Switzerland

‘Angel of Death’: Switzerland publishes 200-page dossier on Nazi doctor

The war criminal was infamous for carrying out horrific medical experiments on inmates at Auschwitz.

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Forensic doctor Daniel Munoz shows the skull of Nazi war criminal Josef Mengele at the school of medicine of Sao Paulo University in Brazil in December 2016. Photo: AP
China-Germany relations

AfD party won big in Saxony-Anhalt. Will it affect Germany’s approach to China?

In the wake of a key state election, observers say Germany’s economic pressures will persist, no matter who is in power.

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Beatrix von Storch of the far-right Alternative for Germany addresses a campaign rally ahead of the state election in the Marzahn-Hellersdorf borough of Berlin on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
China trade

China’s global expansion offers German firms opportunity – for now

German chamber notes how some members see ‘golden window to partner up’ with Chinese companies as competition, trade tensions and possible EU measures raise risks.

US, Israel war on Iran

Nuclear agency board refers Iran to UN Security Council for first time in 20 years

IAEA remains blocked from key sites damaged during June 2025 military strikes by the US and Israel.

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China-EU relations

Far-right win in German election further shakes up China-EU relations

Outcome could harden Berlin’s stance towards Beijing ahead of an October deadline for trade rebalancing, analysts say.

Members and supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party react to election results in Magdeburg, eastern Germany, on September 6, 2026. Photo: AFP
European Union

EU plan aims to help cities crack down on Airbnb, holiday rentals

The European Commission’s Affordable Housing Act lays out conditions under which local authorities can limit short lets.

A person holds a sign that reads “from touristic flat to temporary rent to Airbnb” during a protest to demand lower housing rental prices and better living conditions, in Barcelona, Spain, in November 2024. Photo: Reuters
China exports

Amid lack of grass lawns in China, the robotic mower sector chases EU market

Once a niche market, sales of robot mowers in Europe have more than doubled in the past five years.

Banking & finance

Yuan use grows as supply chains reshape global trade, Deutsche Bank says

Europe’s first foreign RMB clearer says Chinese firms’ overseas expansion is strengthening the currency’s role in cross-border commerce.

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Art

Must-see fall 2026 art exhibitions and a new museum on our radar

Explore a spaceship-like cultural centre co-founded by the Star Wars creator, the historic Bayeux Tapestry, designs by Geoffrey Bawa, and more.

Sonámbulo: Mexican Stand-Off (2006) by Rafael Navarro. Photo: Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Britain

UK, France, Canada block imports from Israeli West Bank settlements

Foreign Minister Ed Miliband says Britain refuses to be ‘bystanders to further suffering and to the destruction of the two-state solution’.

Science

Could China sanction US for illegal international seabed mining? A study says yes

But issue is said to create tension for Beijing between defending the multilateral system and protecting its own access to critical minerals.

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European Union

Nicaragua accuses Germany of ‘multiple violations’ of law in Gaza genocide case

Nicaragua says Germany has breached the 1948 UN Genocide Convention with its support, notably arms shipments, for Israel.

The Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the International Court of Justice, on Monday on the opening day of public hearings in the case of Nicaragua v. Germany. Photo: AP
United Nations

Germany urges UN’s top court to dismiss Gaza genocide case

Berlin says judges lack the jurisdiction to rule on the case and dismisses Nicaragua’s accusations as ‘inaccurate and distorted’.

The logo of the International Court of Justice displayed on the judges’ bench, in The Hague, Netherlands, in May. Photo: AP
Banking & finance

Can China bring in more bullion as central banks shift gold reserves from US?

Geopolitical tensions and US dollar concerns have seen Shanghai and Hong Kong step up efforts to build gold storage infrastructure.

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SCMP Highlights

China won’t permit AI dominance; South Korea’s deepfake crisis: 5 weekend reads

From top UK universities’ priorities to China’s graduates seeking German vocational training, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

European Union

Germany’s Merz shaken as far-right AfD plots path to power

The German chancellor rules out working with the AfD even though he concedes its win in Saxony-Anhalt has upset his party’s foundations.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (left) and Sven Schulze (R), Saxony-Anhalt’s state premier, at their party’s leadership meeting in Berlin on Monday. Photo: AFP
Drones

Germany plans anti-sabotage shield after airport drone attack

A national ‘cyberdome’ would be established, with a network of digital sensors to detect and ‌intercept attempted hacking ‌attacks.

A police officer in protective clothing works at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany on August 5 after the police said explosives experts examined a drone near a runway. Photo: Reuters
China education

China’s youth job crisis drives graduates to German vocational apprenticeships

Facing bleak employment prospects at home, some young Chinese workers are pursuing technical training abroad, but not all make it through.

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Space

German rocket reaches space as Europe enters satellite launch race

Isar Aerospace, which launched its rocket from a spaceport in Norway, plans to offer a commercial ⁠satellite launch service.

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