In terms of geopolitical optics, this week was nothing short of a banquet. It served up at least two sets of images that seem to crystallize our historical moment and that will live on in the Wikipedia of history as shorthand for where the world was in 2025.
One is the waves of uncannily synchronized soldiers and a bewildering array of high-tech weaponry gliding down Beijing’s Chang’an Avenue. The ...
Author: Cliff Mboya
Dr. Cliff Mboya is a journalist and researcher with more than 10 years of experience in research and reporting. He completed his Ph.D. in international politics from Fudan University in Shanghai in 2020 where he analyzed China’s public diplomacy initiatives in Africa. He holds an M.A in Development Communication from the University of Nairobi where he wrote about China’s media portrayal in Africa using China Daily as a case study. He has a bachelor’s degree in international relations and journalism minor from the United States International University. He has produced editorial content in both local and international media outlets such as Daily Nation, The Standard, The People, Capital FM, Diplomat East Africa magazine, and various digital outlets. He started his career as an intern at the Ministry of foreign affairs in Kenya; worked as a part-time reporter at Diplomat East Africa magazine; joined the Chinese embassy in Kenya as an information and public affairs officer and worked as a China-Africa analyst and consultant after his PhD. He is also a research fellow at the Afro Sino Centre of international relations (ASCIR).
Related Posts
Africa’s Muted Response to Wang Yi’s Tour
Despite the importance of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Kenya, Eritrea and the Comoros this week, African media coverage of the tour remains surprisingly scant. In the week after his visit was announced, very little has come from these countries in terms of agenda-setting, and ...
Don’t Worry Africa… China Isn’t Going to Seize Your Assets, But They’re Also Not Going to Forgive Your Debts
There is a sense of anxiety over Chinese debt in several African countries and beyond. From Zambia to Kenya, Uganda, and now even in the small Balkan country of Montenegro. Repeated assurances from China and borrowing countries that the debt situation is under ...
Why China will Probably Sidestep Calls for Sahel Involvement
The Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) kicked off in Dakar, Senegal with huge expectations. As usual, there was a lot of talk about trade, investment, and other perennial Africa-China discussion points. More surprising was the call from Senegalese Foreign Minister ...
Why African Countries Can’t Rely on China to Fix The Trade Imbalance
It is beyond doubt that two-way trade will feature heavily in next week’s FOCAC ministerial meeting in Dakar, Senegal as China has already announced plans to further open its market for more African products. While this is a welcome move that will go a long way in ...
FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: Appeals For More People-to-People Ties and For Mutual Respect Between Chinese and Africans
Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If you ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: What’s Next For China’s Commitment to African Media Development, Climate-friendly Infrastructure, and Resources-for-Infrastructure Deals?
Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If you ...
FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: Because of Everything That’s Going on in the World Today, Africa Will Actually Have More Leverage at FOCAC
Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If you ...
This Year’s FOCAC Should Focus on Development Projects That Are Both Economically and Environmentally Sustainable
Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If you ...
FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: If China Wants to Improve Its Standing With African Publics, It Should Promote Transparency and Insist on the Publication of Loan Contracts
Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If ...
FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: Hoping the Journalists Do a Better Job Covering FOCAC And Avoid All Those “Tired Tropes”
Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If ...
FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: This Year’s FOCAC Will Serve as a “Moment of Truth” For China-Africa Relations
Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If ...
Q&A: What Role Did Domestic Politics Play in the Development of the Chinese-Built SGR in Kenya?
Beginning next May, Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway will be "fully owned and run by Kenyans" declared Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani at a graduation ceremony last week for 2,057 students from the country's Railway Training Institute. Until now, much ...