Day: December 19, 2025

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China-Africa and the Cost of Unused Talent

When it comes to the China-Africa story, most people first think about infrastructure. Those who follow it more closely might think of diplomacy. But China-Africa relations is also a story about hundreds, maybe even thousands, of African students trained in China through scholarships and bilateral partnerships.

China Says Cambodia, Thailand Ready to De-escalate After Wang Yi Calls

China says Cambodia and Thailand are prepared to de-escalate and move toward a cease-fire after separate phone calls with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Thailand has said any truce depends on Cambodian action, and Phnom Penh has yet to publicly confirm ...

China’s Outsized Role in West Africa’s Illegal Resource Trade

Every year, illegal mining, fishing, and logging drain billions of dollars from West Africa's economies as the problem persists largely unchecked, with Chinese actors playing an outsized role. Fueled by chronic corruption among local regulators across the region and seemingly insatiable demand ...

China, Ukraine Diplomats Discuss Russia Invasion in Beijing Talks

A senior Ukrainian diplomat held talks with a Chinese official in Beijing on Thursday, both sides said, including on resolving the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine triggered by Russia's invasion. The visit represented a rare meeting between officials from Kyiv and ...

WEEK IN REVIEW: China Moves to Build an Advanced Copper Supply Chain

Reuters reports that Chinese scientists have completed the country’s first extreme ultraviolet lithography machine, used to produce the advanced semiconductors used to power artificial intelligence applications. The prototype was reportedly reverse-engineered by scientists who used to work at the Dutch chip leader ASML. They reportedly plan to start ...

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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