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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.
Many content creators are helping Chinese manufacturers expand their reach on overseas social media platforms. Photo: EPA-EFE
China exports

As China’s firms go global, foreign expertise is becoming a hot commodity

Chinese companies are rushing to hire a range of service contractors to help them expand overseas – from compliance experts to TikTok gurus.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Europe is ready for strategic autonomy, but at what cost?

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China-Germany relations

Editorial | Merz’s Beijing trip shows that Germany realises it needs to work with China

Ukraine war

Opinion | Don’t expect Russia’s war on Ukraine to end in its fifth year

Barring Moscow or Kyiv reaching breaking points in their war efforts, neither side will make any steps to end or ‘freeze’ the conflict.

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Ukrainian soldiers fire a multiple rocket launch system towards Russian troops near the frontline town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk, Ukraine, on October 23, 2025. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

China-EU trade ties are at a crossroads. Could tech bridge the divide?

A hostile Washington is creating openings for a reset – but deep-seated issues remain, analyst says.

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China-Germany relations

Merz’s China tightrope: German leader has warm words, hard questions for Beijing

German chancellor strikes diplomatic tone in Beijing meetings while pushing his hosts on subsidies, currency devaluation and Russia.

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China technology

China’s tech surge leaves Japan and South Korea trailing in global rankings

Propelled by strategic R&D, China’s tech prowess is now the third highest, with key sectors such as batteries and biotech showing big gains over rivals.

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A humanoid robot plays piano during a traditional music performance in Beijing on Thursday. China has elevated science and technology to the core of its national development strategy. Photo: AP
SCMP Highlights

EU’s tech ban; China’s mysterious Nantianmen project: 7 science highlights

From a leading biologist leaving US for China to a semiconductor breakthrough, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Diplomacy

Opinion | EU has a key role to play in the new world order in the making

In an uncertain global environment, the European Union remains committed to mutually beneficial relations with Hong Kong.

China-EU relations

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

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Maros Sefcovic said Brussels is reviewing trade defence tools and monitoring imports of Chinese plug-in hybrid vehicles. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Ukraine urges China to play ‘critical’ role for peace as war enters fifth year

Top Ukrainian envoy urges Beijing to ‘walk this last mile together’ on anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

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A person walks through a makeshift memorial to fallen soldiers in Kyiv, Ukraine on Monday, as the conflict with Russia reaches its four-year mark. Photo: AFP
India

India and Brazil set sights on US$30 billion trade milestone by 2030

The two founding Brics members are deepening links on rare earths, innovation and AI to diversify growth beyond the West.

Hong Kong courts

Opinion | A speedy pardon in the Jimmy Lai case is unlikely

Foreign governments campaigning for the former media boss’ release should thoroughly look into the nuances of the case as the legal process plays out.

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China-Africa relations

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

A volunteer grinds coffee beans with children during a hands-on experience session at the Ethiopian pavilion of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, Hunan province on August 30, 2024. Photo: Xinhua
China-Germany relations

‘China shock’ hangs over German leader Merz’s first visit to Beijing

Chancellor must strike a balance between those wanting a toned-down Brussels trade policy and those backing tougher action against Beijing.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to depart for his first official trip to China, with scheduled stops in Beijing and Hangzhou. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

Opinion | Germany’s outreach to China signals a reckoning, rather than a shift

The German chancellor realises that while China poses a long-term economic challenge, the United States is currently the more disruptive partner.

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The Netherlands

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

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US-China relations

China prioritises regional expertise over language fluency in academic shift

Some 450 regional studies centres have been set up across more than 180 institutions nationwide since Ministry of Education launched project.

Interest in the interdisciplinary field of regional studies has grown rapidly in China, according to official data. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
US-China trade war

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

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Ukraine war

‘Brutal terrorist act’: twin blasts rock western Ukrainian city

A police officer was killed, 25 other people were wounded in bomb explosions in Lviv.

Hungary

Hungary spoils EU attempt at Russia sanctions package over oil flows

Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains close ties with the Kremlin, has long argued that Russian fossil fuels are indispensable for his economy.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban as he arrives to attend the European Council meeting in Brussels on December 18 last year. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Russian barrage strikes Ukrainian infrastructure as war drags on

Kyiv has faced waves of overnight strikes in recent weeks as Moscow has intensified its winter assaults.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of an interview with journalists in Kyiv on Friday. Photo: AFP
Germany

Germany’s ruling party seeks social media ban for children aged below 14

Spain, Greece, France, Britain and other countries are looking at similar social media bans or curbs.

India

India, Brazil sign rare earths deal to build ‘resilient supply chains’

With China holding a near-monopoly on rare earths production, India and other countries are seeking alternative sources.

Science

EU bans Chinese organisations from critical tech programmes, including AI, chips

Chinese space scientist Wu Ji doubts the policy will hurt China much and may instead ‘make Europe appear more isolated’.

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The EU has barred most organisations based in China from applying for its Horizon Europe grants in “critical areas”. Image: Shutterstock
Ukraine war

5 European nations to make drones by tapping Ukraine’s war experience

The initiative by France, Poland, Germany, the UK and Italy comes after a spate of violations of Europe’s airspace involving rogue drones.

A Ukrainian member of a drone team launches a surveillance drone towards Russian position in the eastern Donetsk region on February 4, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photo: AFP
China trade

China defends WTO’s ‘equal treatment’ rule – what it means for global trade

Beijing warns that ending non-discrimination in global trade rules could see powerful countries dominate smaller ones.

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Trade

Outside In | Try as it might, the US alone can’t reverse the tide of globalisation

Accounting for a significant share of world trade, Europe and Asia are far more decisive players in the fast-changing globalised economy.

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