Ambassador Lin Songtian’s Recall Signals Shifts Ahead in China-Africa Relationship

Former Chinese ambassador to South Africa Lin Songtian.

The sudden recall from South Africa of Chinese ambassador Lin Songtian was initially interpreted as being a demotion. But the contrary appears to be true – it now looks as though his deft use of Twitter has propelled him into another role: A combatant in the growing U.S.-China media confrontation.

And then he was gone: Lin Songtian, China’s outspoken ambassador to South Africa, who has reshaped how Beijing communicates with the continent, has left South Africa. His departure was hastened by the COVID-19 crisis, but his tenure will have a lingering impact in Africa and beyond.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Cobus van Staden

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
3
Indonesia Begins $5.9 Billion Chinese EV Battery Project Despite Environment Fears
4
Chinese Cargo Planes Secretly Ferrying Supplies to Iran, Claim Online Sleuths
5
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors
6
China, U.S. Ink Rare Earth Deal; More Trade Pacts Coming

You Might Like

While the U.S. Gets Bogged Down in the Persian Gulf, China Pushes on With its African Diplomacy

Getting Africa on the agenda in Washington, D.C. has never been easy, but now it’ll be near impossible as America’s senior foreign policy leaders become consumed managing the burgeoning crisis in Iran, Iraq ...

Reflections on a Week in Washington

I’m on my way back to Asia after having spent a fascinating week in Washington, D.C. meeting with key stakeholders in government, think tanks and NGOs who are all engaged in U.S. foreign ...

U.S.-China Great Power Competition in Africa

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo renewed his attacks on China’s presence in Africa last week, triggering a full-throated rebuttal from Beijing in what’s now become an almost routine back-and-forth between these two ...

Will China Repay Its Debt to Africa?

China has led a surprisingly effective, low-key campaign to lead mid-tier agencies at international organizations. At the United Nations, Chinese nationals now lead five of the 15 specialized agencies: the International Civil Aviation Organization, ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP