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.
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Houthi militants in Yemen confirmed on Friday that Chinese and Russian vessels will be granted safe passage through the Red Sea while ships from other countries, particularly those from the U.S. and Europe on their way to/from Israel, will continue to be targeted for attack. ...
Israel’s Ambassador to China Seeks to Maintain Economic Ties Amid Strains Over Gaza War
Israel's ambassador to China, Irit Ben-Abba Vitale, acknowledged that her government and China have not been able to resolve their differences over the war in Gaza but said that she hopes the dispute will not derail economic ties. "We argue on ...
Shake-Up in China’s Maritime Militia in South China Sea
China's informal maritime militia in the South China Sea is reportedly undergoing a "major rotation" with 27 vessels, mostly medium-size fishing ships, heading to disputed areas near the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal. This so-called "maritime militia" is a crucial part ...
Tshisekedi Says Restructured Chinese Mining Deal Will Pave the Way for $7 Billion in New Infrastructure
Félix Tshisekedi was sworn in this weekend for a second five-year term following a landslide victory in December in an election that many of his opponents say was stolen. The president took the oath of office on Saturday before a packed ...
Chinese Factories in Ethiopia Close as Business Environment Worsens
The IMF is forecasting the Ethiopian economy will grow 6.2% this year, an impressive figure for a country that is digging itself out of a massive debt hole and recovering from the trauma of a two-year civil war. If the government ...
WEEK IN REVIEW: Saudi Arabia Apparently Still Not yet a Member of the BRICS Club
Saudi Arabia is apparently still not yet a member of the BRICS club despite its membership being announced at the same time as when other new members joined the bloc. The Kingdom's commerce minister Majid al-Kasabi confirmed on Tuesday Riyadh has "not yet officially joined." (REUTERS) China's long-serving special climate envoy Xie Zhenhua stepped down due to ...
Chinese Weapons Are Becoming Increasingly Popular in Africa
Militaries across Africa are increasingly turning to China to source advanced weapons systems that were long unavailable from Western suppliers. Sophisticated Chinese-made drones, missile systems, and cyber-warfare technologies, among others, are now commonplace on African battlefields.
Philippines Defense Chief Accuses China of Insulting President Marcos and Using “Gutter Level Talk”
The increasingly frayed relationship between China and the Philippines worsened considerably on Wednesday when Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro lashed out at the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Mao Ning for "insulting" President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and stopping to "gutter level talk." This ...
Chinese, Indian Forces Clashed Twice in 2022 in Previously Unreported Skirmishes Along Disputed Border
Indian and Chinese military forces along the two countries' disputed border in the Himalayas engaged in two previously unreported clashes back in 2022, even as both sides were engaged in talks at diffusing border tensions, according to the Indian military.
China Warns Philippines Not to “Play With Fire” In Response to Marcos’ Remarks Over Taiwan
China summoned the Philippines ambassador to Beijing to issue a forceful protest against a congratulatory post on X by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to Taiwan's newly-elected leader, Lai Ching-te. Marcos posted on X: "On behalf of the Filipino people, I ...
“Strong Indication” Safety Violation Led to Massive Fire at Chinese-Owned Nickel Factory, Says Indonesia
Indonesian authorities suggested that safety violations and negligence may be responsible for a fire at a Chinese-owned nickel smelter last month that killed 21 workers. The massive blaze erupted at a furnace in a smelter operated by Tsingshan Stainless Steel Indonesia, ...
Nearly a Third of All Brazilian Exports Went to China Last Year
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