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
Image: Shutterstock
China-Japan relations

Beijing rebuffs Takaichi, Macron-Xi talks, key economic meeting

This week: China rejects Takaichi’s Taiwan climbdown, Macron visits Xi in Beijing, US deepens Taiwan ties, PBOC slams stablecoins. Next week: economic planning meeting, November trade and inflation data, Hong Kong Legco elections and more.

Israel-Gaza war

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

China-EU relations

Most Europeans want to keep same distance between US and China, poll finds

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China’s private sector

US lifts China sentiment, but tensions cloud outlook in Japan: report

Global confidence in China ticked higher in the third quarter, Morgan Stanley says, driven by US companies and policy support in Beijing.

Global business sentiment towards China improved in the third quarter of 2025. Photo: Xinhua
China manufacturing

Germany’s China playbook: if you can’t beat them, partner up

More than half of surveyed German firms plan deeper ties with local partners in China to match the rapid innovation cycles of domestic competitors, the German Chamber of Commerce has found.

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North Korea

North Korea unveils new missiles, angles for Russian jets amid Ukraine war deal

Analysts say the event served a dual purpose: grooming Kim’s potential successor and angling for Russian jets as payment for Ukraine war aid.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky reinforces European support as he eyes Trump talks on US deal

Ukrainian president met Macron in Paris to sound out allies on the US blueprint for peace, which was drafted without input from Kyiv or Europe.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday. Photo: AFP
King Charles III

UK’s King Charles to host first state visit by a German president in 27 years

Frank-Walter Steinmeier will land in England on Wednesday. The last German state visit was in 1998 when Queen Elizabeth hosted Roman Herzog.

The Philippines

Why Russia is targeting the Philippines with Ukraine mercenary claims

As Moscow wages an information war far from the battlefields of Ukraine, an improbable front has opened up in Southeast Asia.

Protests around the world

Thousands protest in Germany as far-right AfD party starts youth convention

The new youth organisation of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany is due to be set up in a meeting in the town of Giessen.

Police and demonstrators clash on Saturday during a protest in Germany against the founding of a new far-right youth organisation. Photo: via AP
China-Africa relations

China set to benefit as South Africa looks to diversify away from US

As ties with Washington deteriorate, Pretoria is ‘determined to pursue economic diplomacy’ as it pursues new markets in Asia and Europe.

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Pretoria is trying to secure investment and new market access for South African goods, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images
Malaysia

Malaysia raids men-only wellness centre, prosecutor among 201 arrested

Apart from Malaysians, men from South Korea, Indonesia, Germany and China were also arrested.

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Nexperia

China, EU shift Nexperia strategy: let the companies work it out

Wang Wentao shifts focus to the boardroom but warns the Dutch government must still scrap the executive order and court ruling fuelling the crisis.

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France

Macron says France to restore voluntary military service amid Russia threat

The voluntary military service for 18 to 19 year olds will be limited to mainland France and overseas territories, not for operations abroad.

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Paris Military Governor Loic Mizon attended a ceremony to celebrate the 100th anniversary of “The Flame under the Arc de Triomphe” on July 14, before the Bastille Day parade. Photo: Reuters
European Union

Opinion | Stumbling Germany needs a clear strategy on China

Berlin must ditch the fantasy that it can profit without strategic risks, stop acting like a junior partner and decide what it stands for.

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Friedrich Merz attends a federal executive committee meeting for the first time as German chancellor, at the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus in Berlin, on May 19. Photo: EPA-EFE
China-EU relations

German foreign minister in ‘last stages of coordinating’ trip to China

Johann Wadephul also states he backs a speedier form of de-risking and diversifying away from Beijing’s stronghold on critical minerals.

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European Union

EU’s top court rules same-sex marriages must be respected across bloc

The court ruled Poland’s refusal to recognise a German couple’s same-sex marriage violated EU law and their right to a ‘normal family life’.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia exchange deadly strikes as negotiators race to refine deal

Hundreds of drones fired as negotiators thrash out changes to a US peace plan by Trump’s November 27 deadline.

An explosion of a Russian drone in the sky over Kyiv, Ukraine on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

EU ministers court Trump on joint China policy, even as public scepticism grows

European officials lobby American counterparts to ‘push back’ on Beijing together, while German poll shows wariness towards Washington.

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Ukraine war

‘Issues remain’: US-Ukraine talks advance, but Europe cautious on Russia deal

Trump hails ‘big progress’ in talks, while Germany confirms US plan was modified with Nato and territorial demands removed.

Climate change

‘Important steps’: what Cop30 deal means for climate unity and Global South

Despite the limited outcome, the summit also reveals how developing nations can still influence the global transition, analysts say.

A fire truck is seen submerged in floodwaters in Songkhla province, southern Thailand, on Monday. The Cop30 summit set a goal of scaling up global climate finance to at least US$1.3 trillion per year by 2035. Photo: AP
China-Germany relations

Premier Li Qiang urges Germany to be ‘rational and pragmatic’ on China policy

Meeting between Li and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on G20 sidelines marks a step towards mending ties.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meet on the margins of the G20 summit, in Johannesburg on Sunday. Photo: dpa
Ukraine war

US and Ukraine refine draft of peace plan under Trump deadline pressure

Talks on a 28-point proposal to end Russia’s war held in Geneva after Trump set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to approve the plan.

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My Take

My Take | How China goes toe to toe with the West and softly-softly with the rest

Beijing rarely claims altruism. It always wants something from you, but most of the time, its approach is pragmatic, respectful and usually beneficial.

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China-EU relations

Ireland business chamber welcomes Chinese investment despite US, EU pressures

Dublin Chamber of Commerce CEO says country welcomes business ties ‘within EU rules’, notes existing partnerships in tech and pharmaceuticals.

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Officials from both sides met at a China-Ireland Joint Economic and Trade Commission meeting in Dublin on November 12. Photo: Ministry of Commerce
China economy

Opinion | The rise of a Beijing-led ‘Global South Consensus’

As the Global South seeks a better development model and China looks for alternatives to mature markets, a match made out of mutual need is emerging.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting in Tianjin, China, on September 1. Photo: EPA/Iranian Presidency handout
Ukraine war

Trump gives Ukraine Thursday deadline to accept peace deal with Russia

Zelensky says his country faces the ‘difficult choice’ of losing its dignity or risking the support of Washington, a major ally.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | As power balance tips to China, world needs a fairer financial system

China-led macro region will have to work on independence of monetary policy and partnerships in a fairer financial and trade framework.

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