Reflections on the legacy of Jiang Zemin, China’s president from 1993 to 2003, who passed away on Wednesday, emphasized how he presided over a decade of explosive economic growth. Fewer have pointed out that he was also a key architect of China’s current relationship with Africa.
After the Mao era, emblematized by Chinese involvement in African anti-colonial struggles, the relationship went dormant as China focused on building economic ties ...
Day: July 1, 2021
White House Official Blames China for the Failures of the G20’s DSSI
The White House's point person on G7 and G20 affairs, Daleep Singh, singled out China for the failures of the G20's Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI). "The DSSI and the Common Framework is not impactful enough right now," said Singh during an online discussion ...
With an Eye on China, Japanese Foreign Minister Promises More Vaccines and Infrastructure Development in Africa
The Japanese government will play a more prominent role in delivering badly-needed aid and infrastructure, according to Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu (photo). Motegi addressed the issue on Tuesday following a lunch with fellow G20 foreign ministers in Italy. He added that Tokyo ...
The Battle of Perceptions Around Tanzania’s Bagamoyo Port Expansion
This week's surprise announcement by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s that she is resuscitating negotiations with China and other stakeholders about a multibillion-dollar expansion of the Port of Bagamoyo is generating a lot of excitement and a desire among some (most likely in the government) to set ...
eSwatini Could Soon Be in Play
Troops are out on the streets of the tiny southern African kingdom of eSwatini in an effort to quell anti-monarchy protests that look like they could precipitate the fall of King Mswati III. The precise whereabouts of the King are unknown at ...
Nigeria’s Twitter Ban & China’s Cyber Cultural Products
June’s been an eventful month for China, Africa, and the internet. On June 5th, Nigeria’s government suspended the use of Twitter in the country, indefinitely. The next day, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism reported that the Nigerian government had also reached out to the Cyberspace Administration ...
