A new report led by the U.S.-based research center AidData is drawing global attention this week. It shows that from 2008 to 2021, China spent $240 billion in bailouts and liquidity support to 22 Global South countries.
Even though the report focuses squarely on economics, it also feels like a key piece of a geopolitical puzzle: how China’s Global South relationships work. As I’m writing this, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is ...
Day: March 9, 2023
Rays of Hope Following China Settlement in Sri Lanka
China’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring in line with other bilateral creditors is a major step towards securing a rescue package from the International Monetary Fund. However, it’s still unclear how negotiations will proceed, as the country suffers from food and ...
China Announces Double-Digit Budget Increase for Diplomacy
China is sharply increasing its budget for diplomacy and influence-building around the world after three years of retreat from the world stage. The announcement of a 12.2% increase follows Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s recent comment that “Chinese ...
U.S. Generals Warn Congress About China’s Growing Presence in the Americas
China featured prominently in this week’s U.S. House Armed Services Committee testimony on U.S. national security challenges in North and South America. This follows an annual threat assessment by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which emphasized cooperation between China and Russia. ...
China Shouldn’t be Surprised More Countries in Asia Are Turning to the U.S., Says Envoy to Japan
Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, blamed China for increasing tensions in East Asia. Speaking with CNN, he framed regional military buildups and the strengthening of U.S.-centric blocs like the Quad (a defense-focused alliance between the U.S., Australia, Japan and India) as responses to Chinese aggression. Beijing tends to ...
China is the “Clear and Present Danger” Facing Australia, Warn Security Analysts
Australia should prepare for a U.S.-China war within three years and should consider reinstating the draft and reintroducing nuclear weapons. These were some of the talking points at a recent roundtable convened by the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on national ...