Category: Diplomacy
U.S.-Led Talks With Asian Countries Aims to Reduce Dependence on Chinese Supply Chains
The 14-member states of the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) met in Detroit on Friday, where they said a deal to diversify supply chains beyond China is "substantially completed." U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo led the talks and said this ...
Chinese Ships Ignore Vietnam Demand To Leave Area Close to Russian-Run Gas Fields
A Chinese research ship and five escort vessels were in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Friday, close to gas blocks operated by Russian firms in the South China Sea, a day after Vietnam urged the ships to leave. The Chinese ...
Why Felix Tshisekedi’s Visit to Beijing is the Weightiest Trip of His Career
Felix Tshisekedi arrives in China at a politically charged moment at home. 2023 is an election year, he faces a large opposition that not only brings together his prominent opponent Martin Fayulu, but also the former governor of Katanga (and Tshisekedi’s former political ally) Moise Katumbi.
Chinese Hackers Targeted Kenyan Government on Debt: Report
Kenya is abuzz following an exclusive report by Reuters that Chinese entities repeatedly hacked Kenyan government computer networks. The report cites cybersecurity reports and government sources to allege that unidentified Chinese actors surveilled eight Kenyan ministries and government departments for three years. The campaign reportedly included the office ...
This Graph Explains China’s Growing Influence in Latin America
Financial Times recently published a fascinating analysis of the constraints facing U.S. influence in Latin America. While U.S. policymakers face political opposition at home to the increased market access demanded by Latin American governments, the same isn't true for China. China's trade with Latin America surged from $12 ...
Why Many Indonesians Think Jokowi Fumbled Chinese High-Speed Rail Diplomacy, Even As It Nears Completion
The China-backed high-speed train that runs from Jakarta to Bandung, two main cities in Indonesia, is nearing completion, and is slated to begin serving the public in August this year. But after about a decade of planning and construction, the excitement just isn’t there. Not anymore.
Turns Out, There Are Grievances on Both Sides of the China-DR Congo Relationship
Ahead of President Tshisekedi's arrival in Beijing on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Qin Gang met his Congolese counterpart Christophe Lutundula yesterday. Beyond the formalities and diplomatic courtesies reaffirming the strength of relations between the two countries, Qin made a comment that may ...
Geraud Neema on What DR Congo President Tshisekedi Hopes to Achieve During His Four-Day Visit to China
BBC WORLD SERVICE: The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, is scheduled to start a five-day visit to China today. It's his first official visit to Beijing. And among other things, the president wants to formally overhaul a $6 billion deal called the Sicomines ...
Difficult Conversations Underway in Beijing About China’s Mining Interests in the DR Congo
Even before DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, his ministers fanned across the Chinese capital earlier this week to lay the groundwork for what are going to be delicate negotiations over a pair of large, yet very contentious Chinese mining projects in the DRC. ...
Chinese Media is Surprisingly Quiet Over DRC President’s State Visit to Beijing
Congolese ministers have been in Beijing all week preparing for Wednesday's arrival of President Félix Tshisekedi. Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula met with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang on Monday and Mining Minister N'samba Kalambayi held talks with both corporate and government stakeholders the following day. ...
What’s At Stake During Félix Tshisekedi’s China Trip?
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, is making a landmark trip to Beijing the week. It comes amid ongoing controversy both domestically and internationally, about the economic dominance of massive Chinese investments in the central African country. ...
The Uphill Journey to a BRICS Currency
The South African government announced in May that discussions around setting up a common currency will be on the agenda of the BRICS summit in August. Calls for the bloc, made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, to work together to boost non-dollar trade have ...