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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

A man in military uniform sits near a makeshift memorial dedicated to the fallen Ukrainian soldiers and international volunteers in Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine on April 20, 2026. 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

15 Apr 2026 - 8:15PM

China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

14 Apr 2026 - 6:54PMvideocam

China trade

Hungary’s PM-elect Magyar sends warm overture to China, vows fair play for firms

Peter Magyar pledges reforms to restore transparency and fiscal stability as Hungary shifts from Viktor Orban’s investment model.

14 Apr 2026 - 12:37AMvideocam

Peter Magyar speaks to the media in Budapest on Monday. Photo: AP

Hungary

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:42AM

China manufacturing

Chinese firms in Hungary face a post-election reckoning – no matter who wins

With opposition Tisza party leading in the polls, businesses ponder implications if Orban’s Fidesz party loses 16-year grip on power.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:57PM

China-EU relations

China sidelined: EU shelves rare debate as Middle East crisis takes priority

Delay risks entrenching a policy vacuum as member states diverge and Brussels struggles to evolve its approach.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

The meeting led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would have been the first dedicated China debate held under the EU’s new “security college” format. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

13 Apr 2026 - 6:40PMvideocam

France

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

The group had posted a video on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in Europe, naming Bank of America’s Paris headquarters.

2 Apr 2026 - 12:12AM

Crime

France studies possible Iran link after bomb attack foiled at Bank of America

A link to Iran is suspected due to similarities to ‘recent attempted attacks in Europe which a pro-Iran group claimed responsibility for’.

31 Mar 2026 - 12:47AM

Private security members work next to a police van outside Bank of America’s Paris offices on Monday. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

European Parliament heads to China after 8 years and lobbying from Beijing

Chair of consumer protection delegation due in China next week wants to convey ‘that our rules on product standards are to be followed’.

27 Mar 2026 - 6:12PMvideocam

After eight years in the deep freeze, the European Parliament is sending an official delegation to China next week. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Germany relations

Germany’s Merz floats EU-China trade deal as European capitals soften on Beijing

Remarks urging ‘strategic partnerships around the world’ underscore how tensions with the US are inducing a more accommodating stance.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

Britain

UK police arrest 2 men over Jewish ambulances arson attack

Arrests came after police said they were investigating an online claim of responsibility by a little-known Islamist group with links to Iran.

25 Mar 2026 - 5:40PM

European Union

EU delays proposal to permanently ban Russian oil imports

The proposal is not cancelled, but would no longer be published by April 15 due to ‘current geopolitical developments’.

24 Mar 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia at the Hungarian MOL Group’s Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

EU leaders clash with Hungary’s Orban for blocking Ukraine loan

A vital US$103 billion lifeline is being held up by Budapest over a dispute involving a war-damaged oil pipeline.

20 Mar 2026 - 2:42PM

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

European Union

EU inspects Druzhba pipeline in bid to unclog Hungary’s block on Ukraine aid

Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has vetoed giving Ukraine its promised US$103 billion EU loan until Russian oil supply is resumed.

19 Mar 2026 - 6:26PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Jean-Claude Van Damme talks art; a chemist’s soy empire: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a mother’s 22kg weight loss to a Taiwanese chemist’s soy empire in Australia, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

19 Mar 2026 - 4:16PM

China-EU relations

Exclusive | Chinese military set for EU and Nato talks as Iran war reshapes global security

The PLA delegation will travel to Brussels next week, where the Ukraine war remains a major barrier to better relations with Beijing.

19 Mar 2026 - 3:20AMvideocam

The PLA’s last talks with Nato and the EU took place two years ago. Photo: AFP

Crime

Chinese and Kenyan charged after nearly 2,000 live ants seized

Pair appear in a Nairobi court, accused of supplying ⁠live ants to foreign traffickers.

18 Mar 2026 - 1:44PM

China-Africa relations

China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism

As resource-rich nations introduce export bans and other limits, analyst says investment may not automatically follow.

16 Mar 2026 - 6:13PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Tariffs and distrust: EU’s bid to ditch China hits capacity problems

‘Thinly spread’ bloc seeks this week to thrash out memorandum on critical minerals with the US, eyeing a more formal instrument down the road.

15 Mar 2026 - 6:15PMvideocam

This week’s summit of EU leaders in Brussels is supposed to be about the bloc’s competitiveness, widely understood as a response to China’s state-backed industrial expansion. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Weaponise EU market against China or face manufacturing collapse: official think tank

Beijing’s ‘weakness creates opportunities’ for bloc to use chokepoints and leverage for negotiations, researchers say.

9 Mar 2026 - 3:23PMvideocam

Container ships are seen at Qingdao port in eastern China. Europe remains the last reasonably open advanced market where China can sell industrial and hi-tech goods. Photo: AFP

United States

As I see it | Under Trump, the US has unleashed its own wolf warriors

Chinese diplomats need to project a measured and calming presence on the international stage to contend effectively with American blowhards.

4 Mar 2026 - 5:30AM

China-EU relations

EU strips AI, chips and quantum from industrial plan aimed at countering China

Leaked draft shows biotechnology and robotics are other cutting-edge sectors to be cut from Industrial Accelerator Act ahead of unveiling.

4 Mar 2026 - 1:16AMvideocam

European Union

Belgium special forces seize Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker

The European Union has blacklisted hundreds of vessels in a bid to sap Moscow’s war chest.

1 Mar 2026 - 7:17PM

The tanker ‘Ethera’ docked at the naval base in Zeebrugge, Belgium, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Style Edit

Style Edit: Delvaux CEO Jean-Marc Loubier on the new K11 Musea flagship

The former LVMH executive has always been invested in Asia – and the new Hong Kong store is a testament to this.

25 Feb 2026 - 10:08AM

CEO Jean-Marc Loubier has spearheaded Delvaux’s commitment to and growth in Asia, and particularly Hong Kong. The new flagship store at K11 Musea is testament to that commitment. Photo: Handout

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.

23 Feb 2026 - 9:07PMvideocam

Turkey

6 Europeans activists held in Turkey while investigating prison conditions

Their arrest came on the same day that police detained a Turkish journalist working for Deutsche Welle for ‘spreading false news’.

20 Feb 2026 - 8:40PM

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Belgium

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

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

Hungary’s PM-elect Magyar sends warm overture to China, vows fair play for firms

Peter Magyar pledges reforms to restore transparency and fiscal stability as Hungary shifts from Viktor Orban’s investment model.

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

Chinese firms in Hungary face a post-election reckoning – no matter who wins

With opposition Tisza party leading in the polls, businesses ponder implications if Orban’s Fidesz party loses 16-year grip on power.

China sidelined: EU shelves rare debate as Middle East crisis takes priority

Delay risks entrenching a policy vacuum as member states diverge and Brussels struggles to evolve its approach.

Orban on the brink: could Hungary’s election dent China’s influence in Europe?

‘Most consequential’ vote is being pitched as a referendum on whether the country should move towards the East or West.

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

The group had posted a video on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in Europe, naming Bank of America’s Paris headquarters.

France studies possible Iran link after bomb attack foiled at Bank of America

A link to Iran is suspected due to similarities to ‘recent attempted attacks in Europe which a pro-Iran group claimed responsibility for’.

European Parliament heads to China after 8 years and lobbying from Beijing

Chair of consumer protection delegation due in China next week wants to convey ‘that our rules on product standards are to be followed’.

Germany’s Merz floats EU-China trade deal as European capitals soften on Beijing

Remarks urging ‘strategic partnerships around the world’ underscore how tensions with the US are inducing a more accommodating stance.

UK police arrest 2 men over Jewish ambulances arson attack

Arrests came after police said they were investigating an online claim of responsibility by a little-known Islamist group with links to Iran.

EU delays proposal to permanently ban Russian oil imports

The proposal is not cancelled, but would no longer be published by April 15 due to ‘current geopolitical developments’.

EU leaders clash with Hungary’s Orban for blocking Ukraine loan

A vital US$103 billion lifeline is being held up by Budapest over a dispute involving a war-damaged oil pipeline.

EU inspects Druzhba pipeline in bid to unclog Hungary’s block on Ukraine aid

Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has vetoed giving Ukraine its promised US$103 billion EU loan until Russian oil supply is resumed.

Jean-Claude Van Damme talks art; a chemist’s soy empire: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a mother’s 22kg weight loss to a Taiwanese chemist’s soy empire in Australia, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Exclusive | Chinese military set for EU and Nato talks as Iran war reshapes global security

The PLA delegation will travel to Brussels next week, where the Ukraine war remains a major barrier to better relations with Beijing.

Chinese and Kenyan charged after nearly 2,000 live ants seized

Pair appear in a Nairobi court, accused of supplying ⁠live ants to foreign traffickers.

China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism

As resource-rich nations introduce export bans and other limits, analyst says investment may not automatically follow.

Tariffs and distrust: EU’s bid to ditch China hits capacity problems

‘Thinly spread’ bloc seeks this week to thrash out memorandum on critical minerals with the US, eyeing a more formal instrument down the road.

Weaponise EU market against China or face manufacturing collapse: official think tank

Beijing’s ‘weakness creates opportunities’ for bloc to use chokepoints and leverage for negotiations, researchers say.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | Under Trump, the US has unleashed its own wolf warriors

Chinese diplomats need to project a measured and calming presence on the international stage to contend effectively with American blowhards.

EU strips AI, chips and quantum from industrial plan aimed at countering China

Leaked draft shows biotechnology and robotics are other cutting-edge sectors to be cut from Industrial Accelerator Act ahead of unveiling.

Belgium special forces seize Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker

The European Union has blacklisted hundreds of vessels in a bid to sap Moscow’s war chest.

Style Edit: Delvaux CEO Jean-Marc Loubier on the new K11 Musea flagship

The former LVMH executive has always been invested in Asia – and the new Hong Kong store is a testament to this.

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.

6 Europeans activists held in Turkey while investigating prison conditions

Their arrest came on the same day that police detained a Turkish journalist working for Deutsche Welle for ‘spreading false news’.

Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

As I see it | Under Trump, the US has unleashed its own wolf warriors