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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 man walks past a Taobao and Tmall display at the Alibaba office in Beijing. Photo: AFP
China consumption

Will K-pop give South Korean retailers an edge in China market?

Even though China’s convenience store market is crowded with Chinese rivals and foreign peers like 7-Eleven, it remains far from saturated.

Fifa World Cup 2026

Meet Katie Goodland, England captain Harry Kane’s wife and childhood sweetheart

Crime

Germany Christmas market attacker, a Saudi psychiatrist, sentenced to life

China-EU relations

As I see it | Europe wants a new Plaza Accord for China – seriously?

Instead of hoping for Beijing to commit economic suicide, it would be more realistic for the EU to strike a mutually acceptable trade deal.

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European Council President Antonio Costa (second left) walks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz amid discussions on the EU budget for 2028, in Brussels, Belgium, on June 19. Photo: dpa
China airliners

China Eastern buys 25 A330neo widebody jets as interest rises in Airbus’ wings

Multibillion-dollar deal marks first Chinese widebody win for the planemaker since 2025, following high-level visits from Paris and Berlin.

Britain

‘New normal’: European hospitals overwhelmed by heatwave

Extreme London heat led to the highest ever number of life-threatening emergency calls in a day. French hospitals were also inundated.

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Singapore

Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew seen as cool guy amid Europe’s deadly heatwave

In the midst of record-breaking temperatures, social media users are praising the late statesman’s foresight in embracing air conditioning.

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People cool down near water misters in Cologne, Germany, on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Banking on it: Chinese EVs expand their global footprint

With a boost in global exports offsetting domestic dips, banks forecast significant growth in overseas markets – especially western Europe.

Food and Drinks

This Chinese caviar company fought stereotypes to star at top global restaurants

Hermes Gehnen, the half-Chinese, half-German founder of N25 Caviar, talks about the company’s rise and its new, more approachable brands.

China trade

At Chinese supply chain expo, executives look to tech as geopolitical insulation

As wars and tariffs disrupt trade, experts at China International Supply Chain Expo focus on potential of frontier technologies.

The Hainan province pavilion in the healthy life exhibition area at this week’s China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua
China-India relations

Exclusive | US assures India over AI ‘kill switch’ as ‘Pax Silica’ expands to counter China

New Delhi says Washington pledged AI access would continue after Anthropic restrictions as the US-led initiative adds new members.

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The Pax Silica summit in Washington brought together countries seeking to strengthen AI supply chains. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Beijing slams US, European concerns over coastguard patrols near Taiwan

Mainland Chinese authorities reject criticism, saying deployments are necessary response to maritime border talks between Manila and Tokyo.

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Crime

German doctor admits to killing 12 patients in high-profile trial

The 40-year-old palliative care doctor is charged with killing 15 patients in total between September 2021 and July 2024.

European Union

EU releases €3 billion loan for Ukraine’s recovery

The EU has provided €200 billion in support to Ukraine so far, and approved €90 billion more over the next two years.

The hall in which the Ukraine Recovery Conference is held in Gdansk, Poland. The event is both a fundraising forum and a message to Russia that Ukraine’s Western supporters are in it for a long haul. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong is world’s most unequal society for wealth distribution, study finds

Study analysed evolution of income and wealth inequality in Hong Kong between 1981 and 2021.

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Hong Kong’s wealth disparities are no longer fuelled by differences in wages but by capital asset ownership, a researcher says. Photo: Dickson Lee
Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong records 91 suspected student suicides in 3 years, majority boys

Education Bureau says number of suspected fatal cases among primary and secondary students was 32 in 2023, 28 in 2024, and 31 in 2025.

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Donald Trump

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

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Taiwan

Does Lithuania’s Taiwan pause signal a wider European shift towards pragmatism?

Analysts say economic pressures could force the Baltic nation to recalibrate relations with Beijing.

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Lithuania’s prime minister-designate Mindaugas Sinkevicius (centre) has publicly advocated restoring relations with Beijing to a level comparable to those maintained by other European Union countries. Photo: Handout
Transport and logistics

Trains halted across Germany over communications failure

Train services in Germany resuming after a breakdown in the railway radio communication system.

European Union

Opinion | Europe was happy with the trade rules – until China’s industrial rise

Beijing should not be accused of trade unfairness simply because Chinese companies have become efficient, innovative and globally competitive.

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Fifa World Cup 2026

Meet Nigeria’s goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, dubbed the world’s sexiest footballer

Nigeria may not have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but there’s a reason the team is still attracting a lot of attention: Maduka Okoye.

Is Maduka Okoye the sexiest football player in the world right now? Photo: @madukaokoye/Instagram
Fifa World Cup 2026

12 of the World Cup 2026’s oldest players, from Ronaldo to Messi

Should Ronaldo still be playing? Is this Messi’s last World Cup? But neither are the oldest this tournament – Scotland’s Craig Gordon is 43.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the oldest players this World Cup. Photos: @cristiano, @leomessi/Instagram
SCMP Highlights

Tourists in China call locals smelly, Singapore vs London: 7 Asia highlights

From Malaysian tourists in China to a fatal school shooting in the Philippines, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Technology

Opinion | How the I Ching inspired modern computing and AI

The connection between Chinese civilisation and Western scientific thinking is far deeper and more intricate than commonly understood.

China-EU relations

China rejects trade criticism after Merz backs global yuan action

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang defended China’s exports after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a Plaza Accord-style intervention to strengthen the yuan.

Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

South Korea, Germany fiercely bid for US$39 billion Canadian submarine deal

Analysts say Berlin and Ottawa’s shared Nato membership remains a significant political obstacle for Seoul.

Canada’s Navy hosts South Korea’s Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine during a welcome ceremony in Esquimalt, British Columbia, last month. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP
Transport and logistics

1 killed as freight train plunges from bridge in Germany after crash

The collision of two freight trains caused loaded cars to fall to the road below.

China’s private sector

From Alo to Texas Chicken, foreign brands bet on China despite stiff rivalry

For premium and niche brands, China still represents a growth opportunity in a fast-changing consumer market.

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