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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
Europe might have trade punches it can land on the US and China but is it prepared to use them? Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Is Europe, the world’s geopolitical punching bag, ready to hit back?

The EU could land a range of economic blows if it wants to be more than a lightweight, researchers say.

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Iran

US-Iran strikes: global shipping braces for hit from Strait of Hormuz closure

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Why China steers clear of the West’s transactional diplomacy

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Automotive industry

BMW to trial humanoid robots at German factory, as China competition heats up

The two AI-powered Aeon robots – touted as being smart enough to make their own decisions – will work alongside human staff.

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Aeon, a humanoid robot, is seen at a BMW facility in Munich, Germany, on Friday. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Trump says ‘not happy’ with Iran talks, US staff leave Israel over war risks

Other countries, including China, Germany and the UK, have issued warnings or relocated their citizens.

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Robotics

Germany’s Merz meets China’s tech vanguard, including Alibaba and Unitree CEOs

Hangzhou visit reflects Germany’s attempt to work further with the engines of China’s digital and robotics economy.

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SCMP Highlights

Chinese tourists flock to Seoul, child shoved in Tokyo crossing: 7 highlights

From China tracking military moves near Iran to why tourists are ditching Tokyo for Seoul, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Visitors wear traditional Korean attire in Seoul on February 17. South Korea saw a sharp influx of Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday period that ended on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
European Union

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

The EU post-war project left Europe lagging behind the US and China. Now, without American protection, the continent must reclaim its edge.

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China-Germany relations

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

Stable bilateral and China-EU relations can only be positive for global stability and sustainable development in an era of turbulence.

US-China relations

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
China-Germany relations

Germany’s Merz leaves China with stronger ties as Trump trade battle looms

Analysts say German chancellor’s talks in Beijing helped build rapport with Chinese leaders and halt confrontation.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (centre) visits the Forbidden City in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
United States

Macroscope | Normalisation of Trump’s chaos can only go so far

Markets assuming Trump will chicken out and downplaying risks contribute to the normalisation of the US president’s chaotic behaviour.

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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

‘China shock’ hits Germany as Merz joins Beijing pilgrimage

Chancellor Friedrich Merz becomes the latest European leader to visit China, as Germany contends with a surging bilateral trade deficit.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. (Photo: dpa)
Ukraine war

China affirms ‘no nukes’ position amid claims of European plan to arm Ukraine

While Moscow accuses London and Paris of preparing to give nuclear weapons to Kyiv, Beijing doubles down.

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As Russia’s war on Ukraine enters its fifth year, China has restated its opposition to a nuclear escalation of the conflict. Photo: dpa
US-China trade war

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year as Trump’s trade war spurs US allies to look for new ties.

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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Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Hong Kong seeks to hone edge as offshore yuan hub, digital-asset front runner

Market participants largely welcome Paul Chan’s renewed push to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

Hong Kong’s renewed push to strengthen its position as an international financial centre has been welcomed. Photo: Felix Wong
China-Germany relations

Xi and Merz pledge to strengthen ties as they rebalance amid ‘turbulent’ times

After meeting Chinese leader, German chancellor calls for closer trade relations to unlock opportunities and drive economic prosperity.

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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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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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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Social media

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.

Social media apps displayed on a mobile phone. Germany’s ruling party has called for fines against online platforms that fail to enforce social media curbs for children. Photo: Reuters
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.

Austria

Policing the past: Hitler’s childhood home becomes a police station

Holocaust campaigners say putting police in the dictator’s former home is a ‘problematic’ way of dealing with the town’s dark history.

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Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

Unrestrained military AI could doom us all. The window for a global middle-power alliance to rein in the superpowers is closing fast.

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The logo of the US AI company Anthropic. The US and China now face a prisoner’s dilemma in military AI. Photo: AFP
Spain

Spain’s Sagrada Familia reaches full height 144 years after first stone laid

The Sagrada Familia became the world’s tallest church last October, rising over the spire of Germany’s Ulmer Munster.

A crane places the upper arm of the cross onto the central tower of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona on Friday. Photo: EPA
China-EU relations

Merz the latest European leader to visit China amid tensions with US

Trade deficit is likely to be top priority for German chancellor on his first official visit to China since taking office.

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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’.

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