Beijing

European and Chinese automakers faced off at the Paris Motor Show as they seek to make electric vehicles affordable for the broader public as the sector faces stalling sales in many countries.

The biennial show has long been a major industry showcase, tracing its history to 1898.

China deployed fighter jets and warships to encircle Taiwan on Monday, in drills Beijing said were aimed at sending a "stern warning" to "separatist" forces on the self-ruled island.

Beijing has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, and Monday's drills represent its fourth round of large-scale war games in the past two years.

China must "adapt its behaviour" to solve an escalating tariff row with Europe, EU chief Charles Michel said Friday, warning of the dangers of the dispute escalating into a full-blown trade war.

Top EU officials took turns assailing Hungary's Viktor Orban on Wednesday over democratic backsliding and his Russia-friendly stance on Ukraine, as the nationalist leader delivered a headline address to the bloc's parliament.

China has requested for consultations with Türkiye at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over additional tariffs Ankara imposed on imported electric vehicles and other vehicles from China.

"This discriminatory action is a violation of WTO rules and a typical protectionist practice," China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

China said on Tuesday it was "fully confident" of hitting its growth target this year but held off more stimulus, disappointing markets and fueling concern about a lack of detail on a raft of measures unveiled last month.

Columbia University announced the launch of a Global Center in Athens in November 2022.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday told his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un that Beijing hoped to "deepen friendly... cooperation" with Pyongyang, as the two leaders exchanged messages to mark a major diplomatic anniversary.

The European Commission obtained the necessary support in a vote to impose duties of up to 45% on imported electric vehicles made in China, as part of the EU's highest-profile probe into alleged Chinese subsidies that has provoked threats of retaliation from Beijing.

Greece has reportedly abstained from a vote in the European Union on Friday about blocking the European Commission's plans to impose higher tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), contributing to Brussels' plan for levies on China's EVs to proceed and start getting implemented as of next month.