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: Terrorism
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). ...
China Calls for Restraint in India-Pakistan Conflict
The Chinese government expressed “concerns” about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. This follows Indian missile strikes on “terrorist Infrastructure” in Pakistan and the disputed region of Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. The strike was followed by heavy artillery fire from both sides along their contested ...
China Calls for Restraint in India-Pakistan Conflict
The Chinese government expressed “concerns” about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. This follows Indian missile strikes on “terrorist Infrastructure” in Pakistan and the disputed region of Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. The strike was followed by heavy artillery fire from both sides along their contested ...
U.S. Says China Satellite Company Aiding Attacks by Yemen’s Huthis
A Chinese satellite company is supporting attacks by Yemen's Huthis on American interests, the State Department said Thursday, as the US military announced strikes on a fuel port it said was used by the rebels. The Huthis began targeting shipping in ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
China Vows Counterterrorism Cooperation with Pakistan Following Train Hijacking
China’s Foreign Ministry pledged enhanced counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan following the hijacking of a train by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). After a day-long standoff, Pakistani soldiers stormed the train and killed all 33 attackers. 21 hostages and four security personnel were also killed. ...
Q&A: China Is Not Replacing the U.S. in the Middle East, Says Beijing’s Envoy to Israel
In the fall of 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to travel to Beijing for what was expected to be an upbeat meeting with President Xi Jinping on October 20th. Of course, Netanyahu never made that trip due to the attack by Hamas terrorists ...
Counterterrorism and Economy to Dominate Pakistani President’s Visit to China
Pakistan’s President, Asif Ali Zardari, is embarking on a five-day visit to China, where he will meet with Chinese leaders. Expanding Chinese security presence in Pakistan will reportedly be on the agenda. China’s heavy investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has made the key BRI project a ...
China Lodges Protest With Afghanistan Over Mine Worker Killing
China said Thursday it had lodged "solemn representations" with Afghanistan's Taliban government over the killing of a Chinese mine worker in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. "The Chinese side urgently lodged solemn representations with the Afghan side, demanding ...
Chinese Mine Worker Killed in IS-Claimed Attack in Afghanistan
Police said Wednesday a Chinese mine worker was killed in an attack in Afghanistan which the Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for, as the Taliban government attempts to project an image of security to encourage investment from Beijing. The Chinese ...
China Warns Syria about Xinjiang
China’s deputy permanent envoy to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, warned the incoming Syrian government to avoid supporting terrorism. This follows a video uploaded by the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), a Uyghur militia that opposed the reign of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, ...
Another Myanmar Militia Declares Ceasefire
A second major ethnic rebel group in Myanmar has announced a unilateral halt in its fighting with the country’s ruling military junta. Tuesday’s announcement by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) came a week after a similar announcement by the Ta’ang ...