African Countries Have the Chance to Re-Envision Ties With China

File image of China's President Xi Jinping (C) speaks as South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) and Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (R) look on, during the Forum On China-Africa Cooperation - Round Table Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 4, 2018. Lintao Zhang / POOL / AFP

New trade data for the January-October period this year confirms that China’s economic rebound from earlier this year is going surprisingly well, all things considered. Exports are actually up, albeit slightly, by 0.6% compared to the same period last year and imports fell by 1.8% year-on-year. 

Sure, compared to previous years, these aren’t great numbers but in the context of 2020, it’s absolutely amazing how the Chinese seem to be holding steady while most other major economies are sinking due to massive new debts, surging unemployment, and reduced trade volumes.

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by Eric Olander

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