After several years of declining funding, the African end of the Belt and Road Initiative seems to be roaring back. The newest Griffith University/Green Development Finance Center data on the Belt and Road Initiative shows that engagement with Africa jumped by 395%, while a few big projects boosted engagement in Nigeria alone more than twelvefold.
These shifts indicate a window of opportunity for African electrification. 60% of Africans still ...
Category: China-Middle East
China Warns Against Gaza Occupation
China has called on Israel to halt its recently announced plans to occupy the entire Gaza Strip. Geng Shuang, China’s envoy to the United Nations, said on Tuesday that Beijing is concerned about the plans, and called on Israel to “immediately halt such dangerous actions.” ...
Independent Chinese Companies Drive Oil Investment Boom in Iraq
Independent Chinese companies are reportedly crowding into the Iraqi oil sector. Representatives from four Chinese companies recently said their combined output will reach 500,000 barrels per day by 2030, a 100% increase from current levels. The investment boom comes as smaller
Chinese Car Exports to Mexico and UAE Surge
China’s three top markets for automotive exports saw different outcomes in the first half of the year. New data released by the Chinese auto tracker Yiche showed that exports to Mexico surged by 31%, largely due to the popularity of affordable BYD models like the Seagull.
China Reiterates Support for Palestinian State Amid Starvation Crisis
China reiterated its long-term support for a Palestinian state this week, adding its voice to recent statements from the United Kingdom, Canada, and France that they could formally recognize statehood at the UN General Assembly. China’s special envoy to ...
Iran’s Isolation Highlights China’s Calculated Restraint
By Razan Shawamreh The recent Iran-Israel war has underscored a sobering reality for Tehran: When push comes to shove, China is far more likely to adapt to Iran’s decline or collapse than bear the costs of coming to its aid.
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
WEEK IN REVIEW: Russia, China Plan Joint Military Drills 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly said on Wednesday that Russia is planning joint military exercises with China in 2025. No details about the date and nature of the exercises were released. China and Russia last held joint exercises in September 2024 off Russia’s eastern coast. (REUTERS) ...
Chinese Mideast Scholars Put the U.S. at the Center of the Conflict Between Israel and Iran
The escalating war between Iran and Israel was a top story over the weekend on China's largest news portals and state-run media channels, generating significantly more buzz online than other international conflicts. As is customary, Chinese media narratives took their cues ...
China Would be Disproportionately Impacted If Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian government is reportedly considering closing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz that serves as the only maritime gateway for Persian Gulf energy exports to the international market. Should the Iranians block the Strait, China would be disproportionately impacted.
China Isn’t Feigning Neutrality in the Iran-Israel War as Beijing Firmly Supports Tehran
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with the foreign ministers of Israel and Iran over the weekend as both countries launched devastating missile attacks against civilian targets in each other's countries. But in contrast to other recent conflicts where ...
Chinese Perspectives on Trump’s Middle East Tour
By Giorgia Facchini From May 13 to May 16, Donald Trump embarked on his first major international trip of his second term, a four-day tour of the Gulf, with the U.S. President visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates ...
China Calls for End of Gaza Bombings
The Chinese Foreign Ministry called for steps to avoid further casualties as Israeli bombings resumed in Gaza. The death toll from the current round of bombing has risen past 400. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Negotiations will continue only under fire" and that "this is just ...
Chinese Experts Discuss Trump’s Gaza Plan and the Ceasefire
On January 15, Israel and Hamas agreed to an armistice proposal brokered by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, offering hope for a lasting resolution to the fighting in Gaza. The first phase of the agreement entailed a six-week ceasefire and the release of several Israeli hostages ...