Italy has announced its formal withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative after joining the China-centered infrastructure and investment project in 2019.
The timing of the announcement that Rome won’t renew its BRI commitment is notable. It came only a day before the EU-China summit, which kicks off on Thursday. The summit will likely be more contentious than usual, with European leaders expected to push China on the treatment of EU firms amid discussions ...
Day: November 14, 2023
Where’s the Green? New Research Raises Doubts About China Investments in Sustainable Energy
At the Belt and Road Forum in October, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech was peppered with the word “green.” He committed China to numerous green initiatives, including “green infrastructure, green energy and green transportation.” The problem is that China’s global energy ...
Why Working With South Africa is Important, But Complicated for Both the U.S. and China
South Africa’s relationship with China and Russia has painted a target on its back in Washington, with some policymakers calling for it to be kicked out of the African Growth and Opportunity Act trade pact. SA is China’s largest trading partner on ...
New Philippine Strategy in South China Sea Confrontations: Invite the International Press
As the Philippines faces a larger military opponent in its maritime confrontations with China, it is increasingly looking for an advantage by controlling the international media narrative. Reporters from leading Western and local media outlets rode along on Philippine vessels last ...
New Satellite Images Reveal Cambodia’s New Chinese-Built Navy Base Will be Large Enough to Dock Aircraft Carriers
It now appears that the new Cambodian navy base that China is building in Ream will be large enough to accommodate an aircraft carrier even though the Cambodian navy doesn't have vessels anywhere near that large. New satellite photos reveal ...
Experts Weigh In on China-Philippines Standoffs in the South China Sea
Here is a sliver of the growing commentary emerging about the Philippines’ attempt to fight off what it sees as incursions by Chinese forces into its backyard in the South China Sea. What Analysts Are Saying: ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Awkward Timing as Italy Withdraws from BRI
Indonesia’s Widodo Visits White House as U.S. and China Seek Stronger Ties With World’s Leading Nickel Producer
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo at the White House as the two leaders prepare for the APEC summit in San Francisco, where Biden will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Topping the U.S.-Indonesia agenda are talks on advancing ...
Chinese Overseas Investment: Which Countries Will Benefit Most?
Amid a slowing economy at home, more Chinese companies are now looking to invest abroad in search of higher returns. While there's been a lot of hope in recent years that some of that money would find its way to Africa ...
From Promise to Practice? Analyzing China’s Overseas Energy Finance and Opportunities for a Greener Horizon
By Cecilia Springer As the world grapples with the climate crisis, China's role in financing global energy projects has come under intense scrutiny. And while China has financed significant amounts of fossil fuel energy ...