Jailed Hong Kong opposition activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung has admitted instigating international sanctions against central and local authorities six years ago, such as urging foreign businesses to avoid investment in mainland China and petitioning an Israeli forensic tech firm to terminate its services for the city’s police force. The High Court heard on Wednesday that…
BRUSSELS, Aug 24 (Reuters) – The European Commission on Monday approved a further €6.1 billion ($7.12 billion) in financial aid for Ukraine to procure new defence systems, such as air defence, missiles, ammunition and radars. The EU said this latest aid package came on top of €16 billion of previously approved procurement plans, of which…
Why is the idea of a planned economy anathema to so many people despite China’s success? And why do so many retain faith in market economies given the economic chaos much of the Western world is descending into? These questions have acquired a particular piquancy as Hong Kong embraces long-term planning for the first time,…
Hong Kong authorities have hit out at what they called “baseless slander and smearing” by Western countries over the conviction of the now-disbanded alliance behind the annual Tiananmen Square vigil and its leaders for inciting subversion, stressing the court’s verdict is “well-reasoned and sound”. The government issued a strongly worded statement on Saturday after the…
ZURICH, Aug 19 (Reuters) – Swiss voters look set to reject next month proposals for a tighter definition of neutrality that would prevent the country from issuing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO, according to a poll published on Wednesday. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they opposed the neutrality initiative in the survey conducted for…
BERLIN, Aug 10 (Reuters) – A German far-right influencer whose online posts have been amplified by Elon Musk has applied for funding from the U.S. State Department to launch a media network for political content, Germany’s Handelsblatt news outlet reported on Monday. The self-professed libertarian and supporter of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) told…
Hong Kong should act as a “super partner” helping enterprises expand into Asean, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and European markets, as well as build an annual review into its first five-year plan, one of the city’s oldest and largest chambers of commerce has said. The suggestions are among 65 that the Chinese General Chamber of…
BEIJING, July 28 (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping hopes Slovakia will play a constructive role in the development of European Union’s relations with China, focusing on properly handling conflicts and differences, according to a report on Tuesday from state news agency Xinhua. The key is to engage in equal consultation and seek common ground…
Hong Kong businesses can leverage Xinjiang’s connectivity with Central Asia to expand into new markets while the city’s financial, trade and professional services can help businesses in the region enter Southeast Asia, according to political analysts. But an economist and a textile industry veteran have warned of potential risks for Hong Kong businesses building ties…
BEIJING, July 21 (Reuters) – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a delegation of European lawmakers in Beijing on Tuesday that China and the EU should promote an “upward dynamic balance” in bilateral trade ties from a long-term perspective, according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry. • “China and Europe are partners rather than…