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Uganda’s First Zero-Tariff Exports to China Depart, Underscoring Challenge of Low-Value Goods

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni proudly waved his national flag at a send-off ceremony on Friday for 11 tons of dried chili bound for China. This shipment is among the first Ugandan exports to China that will benefit from Beijing's new zero-tariff ...

As EU Courts Africa on Minerals and Development, China’s Presence Remains Unspoken but Central

Although China is not officially on the agenda at the two-day African Union-European Union summit that began on Monday in Angola, Beijing's increasingly expansive role on the continent will be a major undercurrent at the gathering. Most importantly, European leaders are ...

Li Focuses on Major Power Diplomacy, Not Global South, in G20 Bilateral Sessions

It's customary during gatherings like the G20 summit that took place in Johannesburg this weekend that Chinese leaders pack the limited time they have for bilateral meetings in a speed-dating style format. Premier Li Qiang, though, broke with that custom during ...

G20 Communiqué Reflects Both China’s Priorities and Growing Concerns Over Mineral Export Controls

Chinese Premier Li Qiang took full advantage of the U.S. absence at this weekend's G20 summit in Johannesburg to shape the final communiqué in ways that aligned with Beijing's priorities on multilateralism, debt, and, most notably, critical minerals. Consistent with previous ...

“Mining Slave” Warning in the Central African Republic Sparks Fierce Debate Among Chinese Netizens

The Chinese embassy in the Central African Republic issued one of its strongest warnings to date last week about the extreme dangers facing Chinese nationals involved in gold mining in the Central African Republic (CAR). The warning circulated widely on Chinese news platforms, prompting reactions that expose ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

The G20 Summit and the Half-Life of a Joke

When it was announced in 2023 that the African Union would become a full member of the G20, I darkly joked on a podcast that the AU’s entry into the body could very well mark the moment the G20 lost its status as one of the most important global coordination forums. Mark my words, I said, soon The Economist will be like “Uhhh, the G20 is OVER – it’s the ...

China’s Solid-State EV Battery Edge, Rivals Ramp Up

China's solid-state EV battery makers are moving faster than many of their global rivals to commercialize the technology, rolling out pilot production lines and high-density prototypes that could shape the next generation of electric vehicles. Their projects already range from ...