bauma China in Shanghai has become a success story since its first event in 2002. In 2016, the total exhibition space of 300,000 m² was booked by 2,953 exhibitors from 41 countries. 170,000 visitors from 149 countries and regions have shown that bauma China has become the leading international trade fair for manufacturers of construction machinery, construction equipment and building material machinery in the entire Asian region.

The European Union must change gear to accelerate its transition to a sustainable society, by placing well-being for everyone at the heart of its project for the next parliamentary term. So far, the EU has not grasped the full nature of the crisis, which is both social and ecological. Climate change, pollution or the depletion of natural resources cannot only be addressed by 'greening the economy'. The other two dynamics of sustainable development – inclusive development and social-ecological progress are equally important.

The Socialists and Democrats led today a vote in employment and social affairs committee to ensure that more citizens who have lost their jobs can benefit from the European Transition Fund (ETF).

Reacting to the fast-changing situation in the Sea of Azov, a strategic arm of the Black Sea where Russia and Ukraine share the coastline, the S&D Group condemns the maritime escalation between both countries, calls for restraint and asks High Representative Mogherini to mediate between Moscow and Kiev to find a peaceful solution. 

Once again, new scandals on unsafe medical devices shake the European Union, as unveiled by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament took the lead to ensure the safety of medical devices and implants back in 2012 following the first scandals on dangerous breast implants and hip replacements.