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: Conflict
China Tells U.S. to Restrain Forces Near Shoal in South China Sea
China condemned the U.S. after a naval vessel, USS Higgins, sailed near Scarborough Shoal just days after a China–Philippines at-sea pursuit. Beijing is calling the U.S. move an illegal intrusion and warning Washington to “restrain” its forces. The U.S. Navy ...
South China Sea Naval Collision: Beijing and Manila Trade Blame
China has accused the Philippines of “dangerous maneuvers” during a tense encounter near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea earlier this week that, according to Manila, led to a collision between two Chinese government vessels. Beijing has not publicly ...
China Offers Help in Thai-Cambodia Row as Ministers Meet
Beijing offered to help Thailand and Cambodia patch up relations on Thursday after their deadliest border clashes in decades, as their foreign ministers met for talks in China. A long-running border row between the Southeast Asian neighbors boiled over into conflict ...
China Backs Thailand-Cambodia Reconciliation, Eyes Investment
China fully backs Thailand and Cambodia in resolving their longstanding border dispute, offering assistance at the request of both nations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday. Speaking at the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Yunnan province,
Tensions Surge in the South China Sea as PLA Confronts U.S., Philippines Presence
Chinese warships and fighter jets were out in force on Wednesday near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in a bid to push out a pair of U.S. warships and a Philippine Coast Guard surveillance plane flying overhead. ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Rare U.S., China Alignment Over Designation of Pakistani Separatist Group as “Terrorists”
The U.S. announced this week that it would designate the Pakistani separatist militant group The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliate The Majeed Brigade as a terrorist organizations. The move was well-received in Beijing. Monday's decision by the State ...
U.S. Designation of Baloch Militants Deals Blow to India, Secures Chinese Projects in Pakistan, Chinese Commentator Says
On August 11, the U.S. State Department announced it was designating the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) effective immediately, while also listing the Majeed Brigade as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group (SDGT). ...
Marcos Says Philippines Would Be Dragged ‘Kicking and Screaming’ Into Taiwan War
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos warned Monday that his country would be dragged "kicking and screaming" into any war over Taiwan, but must prepare for it. China considers self-ruled Taiwan, Manila's closest neighbor to the north, to be part of its territory ...
Chinese Vessels Collide While Pursuing Philippine Boat in South China Sea: Manila
A Chinese navy vessel collided with one from its coast guard while chasing a Philippines patrol boat in the South China Sea, Manila said Monday, releasing dramatic video footage of the confrontation. The incident occurred near the contested Scarborough Shoal as ...
China Expresses ‘Serious Concern’ Over Israel Plan to Control Gaza
China expressed on Friday "serious concerns" over Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City, urging it to "immediately cease its dangerous actions." "Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory," a foreign ministry spokesperson ...
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 ...
China Hosts Informal Thailand-Cambodia Peace Talks in Shanghai
China hosted informal trilateral talks in Shanghai on Wednesday involving Cambodian and Thai representatives, aiming to reinforce the fragile ceasefire agreed upon earlier this week following deadly clashes along their disputed border. The discussions were facilitated by China's Vice-Minister for ...