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European Union

European Union
European Union
Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on the European Union, covering Brexit, the euro and the trading bloc's relationship with China and the United States.
last updated:
28 August, 2024
President Xi Jinping and Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai at the inauguration ceremony, which also celebrated Macau’s 25th anniversary as a special administrative region. Photo: Eugene Lee
Macau

Editorial | Xi tells Macau it shares national development responsibility with HK

Stability and prosperity stressed as former Portuguese city marks 25th anniversary of return to China and inaugurates new leader.

Italy

Italian deputy PM Salvini acquitted of migrant kidnapping charges

Hong Kong politics

Xi’s speech tasks Macau and Hong Kong with ‘one country, two systems’ mission

Middle East

8 dead off Greek island of Rhodes as speedboat carrying migrants capsizes

The boat was carrying out ‘dangerous manoeuvres’ to try to evade a patrol vessel, the coastguard said.

Coastguard officers cover bodies after a speedboat carrying migrants capsized near the island of Rhodes, Greece, on Friday. Photo: AP
United States

Elon Musk gives nod to German far-right party as election looms

The billionaire says the AfD party ‘can save Germany’. He has already expressed support for other anti-immigration parties across Europe.

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China-EU relations

EU finds pursuit of unity hampered by war, trade threats and Trump factor

‘Everyone talks about unity, but actually everybody is out to get the best deal for themselves and to avoid the absolute worst’: diplomat.

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Tourism

The hottest travel destinations for your holidays in 2025

From Greenland’s northern lights and Chiang Mai’s food festival, to the Kumbh Mela in India, 2025 promises a diverse range of travel experiences.

During the traditional festival of Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai, Thai people release sky floating lanterns or lamp to worship Buddha’s relics with reflection. Photo: Getty Images
Ukraine war

Nato chief wants Ukraine in position of strength for any talks with Russia

Ukraine leader Zelensky is in Brussels to meet European leaders to shore up support for the war against Putin’s forces.

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France

Ex-French leader Sarkozy to wear electronic tag after graft conviction upheld

Sarkozy’s lawyer said the former president would appeal to the European Court for Human Rights to challenge the ruling.

China's economic recovery

CEO sentiment in China sours amid slowdown risks, survey finds

Local competition and geopolitical tensions add to short-term pressures, but views of CEOs were more positive when pointing to China’s long-term outlook.

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Cars wait to be loaded onto ships for export at a port in China’s Jiangsu province on Thursday. EV tariff talks between China and the EU are “not close” to yielding a deal. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

EU leaders avoid direct accusation over Chinese role in Russia’s war in Ukraine

A draft statement suggests leaders from the bloc’s 27 members will not accuse Beijing of crossing a major red line.

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The EU has warned that directly supplying the Russian military is a major red line for the bloc. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

China, EU ‘very aware of what’s at stake’ in trade talks: Spanish envoy

Spain’s ambassador to Beijing Marta Betanzos tells audience at Renmin University that both sides will benefit from improved trading ties.

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Cybersecurity

Ireland fines Facebook owner Meta €251 million for data breach

The tech giant infringed EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, according to the country’s data watchdog.

China-EU relations

TikTok investigated for suspected election interference in Romania

Allegations include ‘recommender systems’ being open to manipulation and influencers not making clear they were paid to promote candidate.

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The European Commission is looking at TikTok’s policies on political advertising and paid-for content as part of its investigation related to the Romanian election. Photo: Reuters
Germany

Germany heads for early elections after Scholz loses confidence vote

Olaf Scholz remains interim chancellor as Europe’s biggest economy on the path to elections on February 23.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz bites his finger, on the day of a confidence vote called by him to pave way for snap election. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Chinese names added to EU sanctions list over Russia’s war in Ukraine

For the first time, seven individuals and entities have been added to the bloc’s ‘fully fledged listings’ over support for Moscow’s war effort.

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Ukraine war

Nato chief to hold Ukraine talks with Zelensky, European leaders

Kyiv’s backers hope to strengthen its hand before Donald Trump takes power in the United States.

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Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Plasticisers in nearly half of desk mats sold in Hong Kong exceed EU standards

Seven out of 15 products tested by Consumer Council contain ‘reproductive toxicants’ at levels that could harm users’ endocrine system.

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has found that one tested writing mat contained plasticisers over 220 times the EU limit. Photo: Elson Li
Israel-Gaza war

Israel to close embassy in Ireland over Gaza tensions as war death toll mounts

Israel cites Dublin’s ‘extreme anti-Israeli policies’, further straining tense relations between the two nations.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Can Chinese electric trucks overcome global tariffs to dominate the market?

Fleets of electric trucks from China have been growing internationally even as Western countries target the country’s EVs with sanctions.

Britain

Farage challenges UK two-party system, threatens European-style fragmentation

Populist Reform UK party leader and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage won a seat in parliament on his eighth attempt in July.

Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage during a protest in Westminster on Thursday. Photo: dpa
Diplomacy

Editorial | Culture helps bolster China ties with France

Exhibition at Hong Kong Palace Museum serves as reminder of relationship with China and why it is important for city to ensure it continues.

A staff member looks on during a media preview of “The Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles” exhibition, which marks the long-standing relationship between China and France. Photo: AP
France

France’s Macron names centrist ally Francois Bayrou as PM

Bayrou, 73, is likely to face the same existential difficulties as ex-PM Michel Barnier in steering legislation through a hung parliament.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Brazilian ports jammed with 70,000 Chinese EVs as tariffs loom

Chinese carmakers flood the world’s sixth-biggest car market as they try to avoid new tariffs.

China-EU relations

EU-China agenda stalls under Trump’s long shadow

Holding pattern could break next week as EU decides if China crossed red line in arming Russia, a move that would force Beijing to respond.

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Relations between China and the EU are in a holding pattern, with no current talks nor any retaliatory actions. Photo: Shutterstock
China society

Opinion | Why China shouldn’t be complacent as Western expat numbers drop

The presence of foreigners not only brings economic benefits through trade and investment but also fresh ideas and cultural understanding.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-France relations

Exclusive | Macron plans China visit amid talk of Beijing helping end Ukraine war

Senior adviser to French leader said to have travelled to Beijing to lay groundwork for 2025 trip as Europeans push for China to sway Russia.

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Trade

Macroscope | Could Trump be a catalyst for the reforms China and Germany need?

As Beijing and Berlin face pressure to stimulate their economies, challenges posed by Trump’s approach could prompt much-needed policy changes.

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