Author: Eric Olander
Eric Olander is the co-founder of the China Global South Project, an independent, non-partisan media initiative dedicated to exploring every facet of China’s engagement in Africa. Eric is a fluent Mandarin-speaker and a longtime China-watcher with more than 25 years of journalism experience at many of the world’s leading media companies, including CNN, the BBC, and FRANCE24, among others. He received his undergraduate degree in East African History from the University of California at Berkeley and holds a master’s degree in Chinese Public Affairs from the University of Hong Kong.
Related Posts
BYD Plans Big Push Into Africa’s Largest Auto Market
Chinese EV giant BYD unveiled plans to build out 300 charging stations across South Africa before the end of next year as part of a larger expansion drive in Africa's largest auto market. “This is big money, this is a big investment,” ...
Shooting at Chinese-Run Mine in Zimbabwe Rekindles Tensions With Local Communities
Tensions between the Chinese business community and local residents in eastern Zimbabwe are boiling in the aftermath of a shooting earlier this month at a Chinese-run mine. The incident took place on October 9th at a mine owned by Zhuhe ...
Chinese Leaders to Hash out Strategic Blueprint at Key Meeting
By Peter Catterall China's ruling Communist Party will on Monday kick off four days of key closed-door discussions, formulating core economic strategy for coming years as growth flags and trade headwinds mount. The gathering of ...
[CGSP FORUM] Africa’s Energy Future and China: Gauging the Price of Power
In CGSP’s first-ever China–Africa Energy Forum, Managing Editor Cobus van Staden hosts three leading experts to explore how Chinese finance, technology, and policy are transforming Africa’s power landscape: Frangton ChiyemuraLecturer in International Development, Open ...
Trump, China and the New Power Politics in Asia
Chinese exports are booming—but ties with the U.S. are collapsing. Across Asia, from Beijing to Manila, Washington’s shifting strategy under Trump is reshaping alliances and testing security guarantees that have underpinned the region for decades. ...
China Responds to Mounting Concerns Over Huge Fishing Fleet Massing Outside of Chilean Waters
The Chinese embassy in Chile issued a statement on Saturday that tried to allay concerns that an armada of Chinese fishing trawlers was illegally operating in the South American country's waters. The accusations that "Chinese fishing vessels evade supervision and engage in ...
BYD Opens Massive Brazil Plant on Former Ford Site, Underscoring China’s Expanding Foothold in Latin America
Chinese auto giant BYD inaugurated its largest factory outside of Asia in the central Brazilian coastal city of Camaçari late last week. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was there to mark the occasion that also coincided with BYD’s 14 millionth new energy vehicle coming off the assembly line.
Singapore Probes Firm Accused of Illegally Supplying Nvidia Chips to China Amid U.S. Export Crackdown
Singaporean authorities have launched an investigation into a local firm, Megaspeed, that allegedly sold millions of dollars' worth of Nvidia chips to users in China, a violation of U.S. export controls. “The Singapore Police Force confirms that investigations are ongoing into ...
China’s Export Surge Masks a Growing Risk for Developing Economies
New Chinese trade data released on Monday reveals that developing countries are now the frontline in the rapidly escalating trade war between Beijing and Washington. Chinese exports in September surged 8.3%, according to new data released by the General Administration of ...
China Trade Beats Forecasts in September as Tariff Fears Rise
By Peter Catterall China's trade grew faster than expected last month, official data showed Monday, though fresh fears are rising of a major escalation in the tariff war between Beijing and Washington. The world's second-largest ...
Kenya’s China Debt Deal Challenges Old Narratives
Kenya and China have reached a groundbreaking agreement to restructure $3.5 billion in railway loans, converting them from U.S. dollars into Chinese yuan. The move could save Kenya $215 million in debt servicing costs and marks the first time an African ...
Japan, Philippines Inaugural Joint Exercises Begin as China Announces Plans for South China Sea Drills
Japan and the Philippines kicked off a five-day joint air force exercise this week on the central island of Cebu, marking the first time the two militaries have trained together since a Reciprocal Access Agreement was signed last year. The drills, known ...








