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China’s National Security Whitepaper: Old Wine in New and Important Bottles

By Lukas Fiala As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, China’s recently published national security whitepaper rightly deserves our attention at a crucial moment in global politics. Instructive both in terms of timing and implications, the paper cements Beijing’s ...

WEEK IN REVIEW: Wang Yi Meets Over 50 African Envoys on Africa Day

Brazilian prosecutors announced they are suing the Chinese carmaker BYD and two of its contractors for slave-like labor conditions. Prosecutors in Bahia state are seeking about $50 million in damages from BYD, China JinJiang Construction Brazil, and Tecmonta Equipamentos Inteligentes. The suit follows a complaint last year that ...

Brazil Sues China’s BYD Over ‘Slavery’ Conditions on Build Site

Brazilian prosecutors are suing Chinese electric car giant BYD and two contracting companies for human trafficking and alleged slave labor conditions at a build site, according to legal documents seen by AFP Thursday. The case concerns 220 Chinese workers found last ...

Why the China–ASEAN–GCC Summit Matters and What Comes Next

The recent China–ASEAN–GCC summit, held for the first time this May, was more than a symbolic gathering. It marked a formalization of growing and increasingly institutionalized cooperation among the three regions. Bringing together China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), ...

No Top Defense Officials in China Delegation at Key Summit

No top Chinese defense officials will attend a key regional summit in Singapore this week, Beijing said Thursday, despite ongoing tensions with the United States. The Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top international defense forum, kicks off in the city-state on Friday.

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. 

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China Says It Could Replace U.S. Funding in Colombia

China could step in to support infrastructure projects in Colombia if the United States withdraws funding, the country’s ambassador, Zhu Jingyang, said. In mid-May, the US Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said it would “strongly oppose” upcoming disbursements by the Inter-American ...

China Offers Pacific Islands Climate, Development Cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi focused on climate change and development cooperation during the China-Pacific Islands Forum ministerial meeting that took place on 28 and 29 May in Xiamen, Fujian Province. It was the first in-person event since its launch in 2021. It included senior officials from ...

Electric Ambitions: China’s Strategic Focus on Türkiye’s Green Mobility Industry

As global tensions rise over Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), a seismic shift is underway. With the European Union and the United States tightening their stance and slapping tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, China is responding with a bold new strategy: reshoring its industrial muscle to the Global South. ...