Day: July 23, 2025
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Panama’s Diplomatic Tightrope: One China, Beijing’s Red Lines, and the Politics of a Taiwan Trip
On November 13, 2025, amid reports of a possible visit by members of Panama’s National Assembly to Taiwan, the president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino tweeted that such a trip did not have the support or approval of his government. The tweet triggered a chain of ...
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China Rejects Draft Pentagon Report on Nuclear Missile Silos
China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, rejected a draft Pentagon report on Chinese missile silos near the border with Mongolia and told Washington to cut its own nuclear arsenal first. The U.S. assessment estimated that China had likely loaded more than 100 ...
Chinese Social Media Mocks India’s ‘Semiconductor’ Stock Mania
Chinese social media has been buzzing with disbelief and humor over India’s latest stock market frenzy, RRP Semiconductor Ltd., a company whose skyrocketing stock is almost entirely divorced from its real operations. The share price of RRP Semiconductor has surged by an eye-popping 55,000 percent over ...
Jane Perlez on the New Era of U.S.-China Competition and Rivalry
The increasingly acrimonious U.S.-China relationship is the defining trend of this era, upending global politics, economics, and security, especially across the Global South. Countries that have worked hard to avoid having to pick sides in this new competition may no longer ...
Disputed Myanmar Election Wins China’s Vote of Confidence
Myanmar's military-run elections are being pilloried abroad and shunned at home, but neighboring China has emerged as an enthusiastic backer of the pariah poll. International monitors have dismissed the vote starting Sunday as a charade to rebrand Myanmar's military rule since ...
Thailand, Cambodia Set Ceasefire Talks for Dec. 24; China Says It’s Mediating
Thailand and Cambodia will hold ceasefire talks on Wednesday, Dec. 24 under an existing joint border framework, following an ASEAN special foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur. In a chair’s statement, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said ministers ...
Cambodia Says Chinese National Wounded by Thai Military Shelling
A Chinese national was wounded by Thai military shelling into Cambodia on Monday, Phnom Penh's interior ministry said, as the Southeast Asian neighbors waged deadly border clashes. Thai forces fired "artillery shells into civilian areas" of Cambodia's border province of Battambang, ...
As China Expands Its Presence in Africa, Smaller EU States Rush to Catch Up
By Umberto Bacchi From Finland opening diplomatic outposts in Senegal to Czech instructors training Mauritanian security forces, a group of smaller European nations has joined a global scramble for influence in Africa. Estonia, Romania and ...
South Africa G20 Declaration Highlights: Minerals, Debt, Climate
By Julie Bourdin Leaders from the G20 group of top economies endorsed Saturday a declaration at a summit in South Africa that highlights issues related to access to critical minerals and measures to cope with climate change.
WEEK IN REVIEW: Chinese Navy Destroyer Baotou Docks at Kenya’s Mombasa Port
China and Russia led efforts within the United Nations to weaken and defund human rights-related investigations, according to a new report by the NGO International Service for Human Rights. The report said the attempts to use budget cuts to redirect or blunt human rights intelligence happened in closed-door ...
Afghanistan–Pakistan Clashes Expose Deeper Threat of Cross-Border Terrorism, Says Chinese Scholar
In early October, fierce fighting broke out along the 2,600-kilometer Durand Line separating Pakistan and Afghanistan, leaving hundreds of civilians dead or injured. The clashes only subsided after Qatar and Turkey brokered a cease-fire announced on October 19. Wang Shida, executive ...
U.S. Pushes Argentina to Lessen Chinese Influence
The United States is making its $40 billion financial rescue package to Argentina dependent on reducing China’s influence across numerous sectors, as well as giving the U.S. special access to key minerals. A report in the Wall Street Journal detailed extensive behind-the-scenes lobbying from U.S. officials, giving a ...
Cuba Captures Chinese Fentanyl Kingpin Wanted by Mexico, U.S.
Cuba has arrested a Chinese fentanyl kingpin who escaped from custody in Mexico in July and is also wanted by the United States, Mexican security sources told AFP on Wednesday. The trafficker Zhi Dong Zhang, known by the alias "Brother Wang," ...
ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting Pushes Regional Integration Amid Trade Tensions
The trade relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is expected to take center stage at the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) gathering in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. A consultation between the ten-country bloc and China will happen ...
China to Donate Over $400,000 in Police Gear to Vanuatu: Minister
Vanuatu's interior minister has said China will donate hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of police equipment to the Pacific island nation, local media reported Tuesday, as Beijing deepens its influence in the region. Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Solomon Napuat said ...
China-India Relations Remain Fragile Despite Warming Ties
It wasn't that long ago when the leaders from India and China couldn't even look at each other when they were in the same room. Today, the situation is very different. Ties between the two Asian powers have improved dramatically from ...
Why Venezuela Has Become China’s Frontline Partner Against U.S. Pressure
A Chinese military blogger on the video platform Bilibili recently analyzed the rising military tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, framing Venezuela’s importance to China in both strategic and practical terms. His argument goes beyond oil, even though Venezuela holds ...
Mexico’s Tariff Move Risks Binding Itself to U.S. Protectionism, Chinese Scholar Warns
Phoenix News published a commentary by Liu Ying, a researcher at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University, on Mexico’s surprise proposal to raise tariffs on imports from countries without free trade agreements. Announced on September 10 by ...
China May Strengthen Climate Role Amid U.S. Fossil Fuel Push
By Issam Ahmed and Ivan Couronne All eyes are on China this week, as the world's biggest polluter readies a new emissions-cutting plan -- reinforcing its role as a steadfast defender of global climate diplomacy while Europe stalls and the United ...
China-Backed Free Trade Giant RCEP Mulls Expansion and Upgrade
China-backed trade platform in Asia, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), will return to the leaders’ level in October for the first time since 2020. Malaysia, the summit host, says the 15-economy pact will consider targeted upgrades and weigh applications ...
Protest After Chinese-Made Jet Crashes in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi Police used tear gas to disperse angry students following the crash of an F-7 BGI Bangladesh Air Force jet into a school in Dhaka on Monday. 31 people were killed, including at least 25 children. The students protested on Tuesday ...
China E-Mobility Weekly Digest: Chinese Phone Giant Heats Up E-bikes Competition in Kenya as Ethiopia Bans ICE Vehicle Parts Imports
This is a free preview of the upcoming Africa EVs Weekly Digest, part of the new CGSP Intelligence service launching in Summer 2025. Competition between electric mobility solutions providers is intensifying in Kenya and other African countries as companies ...
Q&A: China’s ‘Feeling the Stones’ Approach to African Security Takes Shape
Chinese military engagement in Africa is rapidly expanding across all fronts. From peacekeeping deployments and military training programs to private security firms and dual-use infrastructure, Beijing’s approach to African security is layered, evolving, and at times opaque. But it's not clear if there's a grand strategy at ...
South Africa Should be Wary of China’s Zero-Tariff Offer, Warns Top Agricultural Expert
South African farmers are among those who stand to benefit the most from China's new proposal to remove tariffs on exports from 53 African countries. China sources just 0.4% of its agriculture from South Africa, a figure that is widely expected ...
China, Philippines Trade Accusations After Fresh South China Sea Clash
Chinese and Philippine vessels clashed anew on Friday near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, prompting both sides to blame the other for the confrontation. A China Coast Guard vessel prevented a much smaller Philippines Bureau of Aquatic ...
Why the U.S. Should Pay Close Attention to the Singapore PM’s Visit to China
Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong landed in Beijing on Sunday night for a week-long visit that will include talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping. In an interview with the state-run Straits Times newspaper, the PM said ...
Rubio Urges China to Persuade Iran Not to Close Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on China to use its influence with the Iranian government to discourage Tehran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital waterway that an estimated 20% of the world's oil supply passes through. ...
China Warns of ‘Spillover of War’ Risk in Iran-Israel Conflict
China urged Iran and Israel on Monday to de-escalate in order to prevent the "spillover" of their war, as fighting between the two foes raged for the 11th day. "The Chinese side urges the parties to the conflict to prevent the ...
U.S. Urges China to Keep Iran From Shutting Key Trade Route
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China Sunday to help deter Iran from shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route, following American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. "I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them ...
Japan Spots Chinese Ships Near Disputed Isles for Record 216 Straight Days
Japan spotted Chinese vessels sailing near disputed islets in the East China Sea for a record 216 consecutive days, Tokyo's coast guard said Sunday. The Tokyo-administered islands, known as the Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan, have long been a ...
China ‘Strongly Condemns’ U.S. Strikes on Iran: Foreign Ministry
China's foreign ministry said on Sunday it "strongly condemns" U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, adding that they "escalate tensions in the Middle East." "China calls on all parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible," ...
Silk Road Redux: China’s Strategic Leap into the South Caucasus
Less than a year after signing a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan in 2024, China and Azerbaijan elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Azerbaijani president’s recent state visit to Beijing. The move goes far beyond simple ceremonial diplomacy—it's a deliberate reinforcement of China's ...
How Chinese EVs Are Powering Africa’s Mobility Revolution
Chinese e-mobility technology is poised to transform large swathes of Africa's transportation ecosystem in the coming decade, but in very different ways than in other regions where EVs are the primary focus. Bicylces, scooters, tricyles, tractors, cars, minibuses, and full-sized coaches, all ...
WEEK IN REVIEW: Chinese Mining Company CMOC Urges Congo to Lift Cobalt Ban
The Chinese mining company CMOC has called on the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to lift its export ban on cobalt. The country imposed a four-month ban on exports in the hope of raising prices. The ban is scheduled to expire next month. CMOC’s Vice President ...
The Inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit: Economic Aspirations Amid Strategic Ambiguity
BY Sufian Jusoh and Joanne Lin The ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur on 27 May, under the Malaysian Chairmanship of ASEAN, marks a significant diplomatic first. It will bring together leaders from ASEAN, ...
Syria and Chinese Company Sign Memorandum on Investment
Syria said Thursday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese company to invest in free zones for 20 years. The General Authority for Land and Maritime Ports said on X that it had signed a "strategic agreement" with ...
China-UAE Liquid Natural Gas Deals Signed Amid Trade Upheaval
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) signed a purchase agreement with Abu Dhabi National Oil Corp (ADNOC) for liquid natural gas (LNG). The 5-year deal will see 500,000 tons of LNG shipped to China annually from 2026. It is the third ...
Ruto’s Beijing Visit Emphasizes Development, Jobs
Kenyan President William Ruto said his country wants to deepen its cooperation with China in order to boost its modernization drive. This alignment with the Chinese official language is arguably an early sign of the geopolitical significance of the visit. Ruto is the first African leader to visit China ...
Japan PM to visit Vietnam, the Philippines from Sunday
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will visit Vietnam and the Philippines next week, officials announced on Wednesday, as Tokyo seeks to strengthen regional ties following Donald Trump's tariff measures. The April 27-30 trip follows a Southeast Asia tour by Chinese President ...
Iran Top Diplomat in China to Discuss Nuclear Talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting China on Wednesday for consultations ahead of a new round of nuclear talks with the United States. Iran and the United States are set to meet in Oman on Saturday for a third set ...
Lessons for Africa From the U.S.-China Trade Conflict: Diversify or Be Disrupted
By Pamela Carslake African economies are increasingly at risk of being casualties in the worsening trade war between the United States and China. With China largely shut out of the U.S. market, at least for now, African exporters are fearful that ...
2+2 Diplomacy: Ceremony Overshadows Substance in Indonesia–China Talks
This week, Indonesia and China celebrated 75 years of diplomatic ties with a landmark 2+2 meeting in Beijing — the first of its kind between the two countries. Lavish praise, photo ops, and a new Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue underscored the event’s significance. The tone was optimistic, ...
China Poised to Shield Economy from Global Shocks as PM Li Qiang Courts Investors
China is reinforcing its position as a global economic anchor, with Premier Li Qiang stating that Beijing is prepared for external shocks that may exceed expectations. Speaking at the China Development Forum CDF on Sunday, Li said the Chinese ...
Cook Islands Strikes Deal With China on Seabed Minerals
The Cook Islands said Saturday it struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching the Pacific nation's seabed mineral riches. A copy of the deal—signed during a state visit to China that has been criticized by former ...
China’s EV Maker XPeng Eyes Doubling Global Presence by Year’s End
One of China's leading electric vehicle makers XPeng plans to double the number of countries in which the company operates by the end of this year, its CEO said Saturday. Founded in 2014, XPeng is one of the Chinese firms in ...
Panama Court to Hear Challenge to Hong Kong Firm’s Canal Concession
A Panama court has agreed to review the concession granted to a Hong Kong-based firm to operate ports on either end of the Panama Canal, which is the source of U.S. President Donald Trump's concerns about Chinese influence over the waterway. ...
China’s Middle East Envoy Meets Palestinian, Israeli, Emirati Leaders
Zhai Jun, China’s special envoy to the Middle East, met with Palestinian and Israeli leaders as part of a wider trip to the region. He met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Eden Bar-Tal, the Israeli foreign ministry’s director general. Zhai reportedly expressed support for the recently ...
Bank Boosts African Trade Hub
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank opened its first account to handle cross-border settlements for an African consulate. The bank’s branch in Changsha opened the account for the Malawian consulate in Hunan Province. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? The Chinese government has designated Hunan as ...
China, Sri Lanka to Fast-Track Hambantota Refinery
China’s state-owned oil company Sinopec signed an agreement with the Sri Lankan government to accelerate the building of a $3.7 billion oil refinery in the port city of Hambantota. The agreement includes fast-tracking unresolved issues around water access, land allocation, and taxes. The deal will be the largest single ...
BYD Tops Singapore’s Car Market in 2024, Surpassing Toyota as EV Sales Surge
BYD (Build Your Dreams) has become Singapore’s top-selling car brand, surpassing Toyota for the first time in 2024. The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant registered 6,191 cars, a 337% increase from 2023, when it sold 1,416 cars.
China’s $7 Billion Durian Imports in 2024 Fuel Vietnam-Malaysia Rivalry, Thailand Top Exporter
China’s durian imports hit a record $7 billion in 2024, solidifying its position as the world’s largest durian market. However, competition is heating up as Vietnam and Malaysia challenge Thailand’s dominance. According to customs data, China imported more than 15 ...
China Lodges Protest With Afghanistan Over Mine Worker Killing
China said Thursday it had lodged "solemn representations" with Afghanistan's Taliban government over the killing of a Chinese mine worker in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. "The Chinese side urgently lodged solemn representations with the Afghan side, demanding ...
China and Indonesia Are Linking QR Payments, and It’s Bigger Than You Think
China and Indonesia are launching a partnership to connect their QR code payment systems, shaking up the way cross-border payments work. China’s UnionPay International and Indonesia’s Payment System Association (ASPI) have teamed up to bring their QR code payment ...
China, Thailand, and Myanmar Join Forces to Crack Down on Online Scam Centers
Officials from China, Myanmar, and Thailand met in Kunming, China, on Tuesday agreed to join forces and conduct a joint operation to crack down online scams, online gambling, and growing number of telecommunication fraud centers operating out of Myanmar. According to China’s national broadcaster, CCTV, the ...
Rubio Affirms ‘Ironclad’ U.S. Commitment to Philippines
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the United States, under President Donald Trump, remained committed to the Philippines' defense as tensions simmer with Beijing in the South China Sea. In a call with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo, ...
Does China Control the Panama Canal, as Trump Claims?
By Juan José Rodríguez U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to seize the Panama Canal over alleged undue Chinese influence may really be aimed at limiting Beijing's growing diplomatic and economic presence in Latin America, experts say.
Indonesia Eyes Leadership in EV Battery Standards
Indonesia is setting its sights on becoming a global benchmark for electric vehicle (EV) battery material processing, aiming to align its production methods with the highest international standards. Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) last Tuesday, Anindya Bakrie, Chairperson of ...
A Taliban security personnel operating an anti-aircraft gun keeps watch for Pakistani airstrikes near the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Nangarhar province on February 27, 2026 following overnight cross-border fighting between the two countries. Photo by AIMAL ZAHIR / AFP
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared "open war" against Afghanistan on Friday amid a surge of fighting between the two South Asian neighbors. Pakistan said it's retaliating against Afghanistan for a series of attacks, including a suicide bombing in early February that killed at least 36 people ...
Protest After Chinese-Made Jet Crashes in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi Police used tear gas to disperse angry students following the crash of an F-7 BGI Bangladesh Air Force jet into a school in Dhaka on Monday. 31 people were killed, including at least 25 children. The students protested on Tuesday ...
China E-Mobility Weekly Digest: Chinese Phone Giant Heats Up E-bikes Competition in Kenya as Ethiopia Bans ICE Vehicle Parts Imports
This is a free preview of the upcoming Africa EVs Weekly Digest, part of the new CGSP Intelligence service launching in Summer 2025. Competition between electric mobility solutions providers is intensifying in Kenya and other African countries as companies ...
Q&A: China’s ‘Feeling the Stones’ Approach to African Security Takes Shape
Chinese military engagement in Africa is rapidly expanding across all fronts. From peacekeeping deployments and military training programs to private security firms and dual-use infrastructure, Beijing’s approach to African security is layered, evolving, and at times opaque. But it's not clear if there's a grand strategy at ...