Related Posts

The China-Mediterranean Observer: Iranian, Saudi Commentators Reflect on What’s Next for China’s Role in the Region

In April, news outlets throughout the wider Mediterranean region continued to discuss the “Beijing Agreement”, the recent China-brokered deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran to reestablish official diplomatic relations. Interest in the agreement remained high as the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers reconvened in Beijing ...

Iraqi Air Force Denies Rumors It Agreed to Buy Chinese JF-17 Fighter Jets From Pakistan

Reports began circulating late last week that Iraq had finalized a deal to purchase 12 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan for $664 million. The news lit up Pakistani Twitter as hundreds of posts emerged celebrating the deal that would make ...

Disputes Over Borders and Business Dominate China-India Talks

China's top diplomat Wang Yi called on his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar to re-orient their two countries' steadily deteriorating ties away from "specific issues" that Wang feels shouldn't "define the overall relationship." Wang made the request on Friday during talks with ...

What Happened to Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang?

It's been three weeks since Qin Gang was last seen in public, sparking a wave of rumors (many emanating from Taiwan) that the Chinese Foreign Minister has been benched for allegedly having an affair with Phoenix News TV journalist Fu Xiaotian. Initially, ...

Worrying Signs for Global South Countries in China’s H1 2023 Trade Results

Chinese diplomats around the world tried to put a positive spin on the country's latest trade figures which indicate a marked drop in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. The General Administration of Customs released ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

Confusing Developments in “Development”

This week I’m in Brussels, where I took part in a workshop on how the EU should shape its development strategy in response to China’s global influence.
I have joked in the past that it feels like I’ve attended this same ‘EU, Africa, and External Development Partners’ conference for ten years straight. 

Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across ...

PLA Navy Tour of Africa Stops in the Republic of Congo

A weeks-long tour of Africa by a trio of Chinese warships continued with a stop in the Republic of Congo on Friday, where they were greeted by Defense Minister Richard Mondjo. The PLA Navy ships previously made stops in Nigeria, Ghana ...