Analysis
Diverse voices, unique insights on key issues shaping China’s engagement throughout the Global South.
analysis
Copper, Pragmatism, and Going Green: A History of Chile-China Relations
By John Bartlett Chile was China’s first ally in South America, and the two have become important trade partners. Now, relations are moving into a new phase of green cooperation and investment. It has been ...
Why Would Angola’s President Want to Go to China’s Shandong Province?
Angolan president João Lourenço will arrive in China on Thursday to begin a three-day state visit, which will include meetings with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, as per usual, did not provide many ...
Putting Geopolitical Competition on Display: Sierra Leonian President Visits China
By Lucas Engel On Saturday, March 2, 2024, Julius Maada Bio, the President of Sierra Leone, returned from China, marking the end of the year’s first visit to China by an African head of state.
Pentagon’s Top General for U.S. Forces in Africa Isn’t as Worried About Chinese Bases and Debt Traps as He Used to Be
The Pentagon's commander for U.S. forces in Africa, Marine Corps General Michael Langley, was once very worried about Chinese "debt traps" in Africa and the prospect that the PLA was looking to build a new base on Africa's Atlantic Coast. But ...
Letting Some Get Wealthy First
By Felix Brender 王哲謙 This week, the Communist Party set a rather ambitious GDP growth target of 5%, doubling down on China’s growth narrative and development success story without qualifications. At the same time, CNN and Al Jazeera are reporting on PRC citizens ...
China Will ‘Legitimately Defend Rights’ in South China Sea: Chinese FM Wang Yi
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi convened his annual press conference on the sidelines of the Two Sessions legislative gathering in Beijing, putting an end to speculation that lawmakers would name a replacement this week for the 70-year-old diplomat. Wang spent ...
Tensions Between China, Philippines Surge Following South China Sea Confrontations
The bitterly contentious territorial dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea entered a dangerous new phase on Tuesday after a pair of confrontations between maritime forces from both countries led to a minor collision and the injury of four Filipino crewmen. ...
Making Sense of Competing Narratives on Debt and Climate Change
By Tim Hirschel-Burns If you are a casual observer trying to keep up with the news on sovereign debt right now, you have every right to be confused by last month’s stories. According to Bloomberg, ...
What to Watch for in Foreign Policy and Defense at China’s Two Sessions Gathering in Beijing
One of China's largest and most important political events started in Beijing on Monday, where thousands of delegates from across the country meet for the annual parliamentary gathering. The event, known as the Two Sessions, brings together lawmakers from China's top ...
Beijing’s New Ambassador to Angola Arrives at a Critical Juncture in Africa-China Relations
By Lukas Fiala The arrival of China’s new ambassador, Zhang Bin, to Angola last week was barely noticed outside the niche community watching Chinese diplomacy. While this posting is reportedly Zhang’s first ambassadorial appointment, it is not his first in Angola. ...
The Overwhelming 2024-Ness of It All
In so many ways, 2024 feels like an inflection point — one of those years that carries within it a future yet unformed. The U.S. election is of course the most prominent of these trends. If Donald Trump becomes the Rublican ...
Israel Denounces China’s Support of Palestinians’ Right to “Armed Struggle”, Calls Beijing’s ICJ Statement “Unfortunate”
The Israeli government issued its first official response to China's testimony at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week that said Palestinians have a legitimate right to "armed struggle" against "Israeli oppression." Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lior Haiat said the ...