When it was announced in 2023 that the African Union would become a full member of the G20, I darkly joked on a podcast that the AU’s entry into the body could very well mark the moment the G20 lost its status as one of the most important global coordination forums. Mark my words, I said, soon The Economist will be like “Uhhh, the G20 is OVER – it’s the ...
Category: Economy
China Faces Rising Local Debt and Weak Land Revenues
China’s local government debt has reached unprecedented levels as a weak real estate market slashes land-sale revenues that cities once depended on. According to a report that cited Nikkei Asia, total debt raised directly by local governments and via ...
UnionPay Signs 11 New Cross-Border Payment Deals in Global Push
China’s UnionPay signed 11 new cross-border payment agreements this week as Beijing’s global payments push continues to gather partners from Southeast Asia to Latin America. The signings were announced in Shanghai. The latest group includes PayNet and Hong Leong Bank ...
China Buys Nearly Two in Five Cars Sold Worldwide in October
Almost two in every five new cars sold worldwide in October were bought in China, according to China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) Secretary-General Cui Dongshu. CPCA data put global auto sales in October at 8.64 million units, up 4 percent ...
China Exports Seen Pushing Thai Growth Below 2% in 2026
Thai business leaders on Wednesday said China's efforts to export their overproduction, combined with catastrophic flooding and the impact of U.S. tariffs, risk making the economy expand by only 1.6%–2.0% in 2026. The warning came from the Joint Standing Committee ...
Chinese Cross-Border Payments Expand in Southeast Asia
Cross-border payments using QR codes between China and several Southeast Asian countries took a leap forward this week. Chinese travelers to Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia can now use cashless QR code-based payments, eliminating the need for currency conversion. The initiative ...
Cook Islands Involved in Trade of Sanctioned Oil to China?
Several tankers suspected of transporting Iranian and Russian oil to China were registered to the Cook Islands, according to an ongoing investigation by AFP. The news agency analyzed sanctions data from the U.S. and UK, and found that at least 34 ships tagged as transporting sanctioned oil in ...
From Geoeconomics to a Chinese Diplomatic Shift on the Western Sahara? Moroccan Press Coverage of FM Bourita’s Visit to Beijing
Disclaimer: The terminology and analysis presented here do not necessarily reflect the personal views of the author or the official stance of the ChinaMed Project, T.wai. For the sake of consistency and clarity, this piece employs the commonly recognized term “Western Sahara.”
China Calls for End of U.S. Sanctions Against Venezuela, Cuba
China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday called on the United States to revoke its “Illegal and unilateral” sanctions against Venezuela and Cuba. The statement came after the announcement that the Trump administration will designate Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of Suns) as ...
China Presses Malaysia and Cambodia Over US Trade Deals
China has asked Malaysia and Cambodia to explain the trade agreements they signed with the United States in October, issuing rare public complaints that the deals require the two Southeast Asian governments to adopt American security-related trade measures. China’s Ministry ...
WEEK IN REVIEW: Xi Jinping Reaffirms Support for Maduro
The Pentagon has reportedly flagged the Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba, the electric vehicle leader BYD, and the search engine provider Baidu for inclusion on a list of companies that assist the Chinese military. The decision was reportedly made before the recent talks between Presidents Xi and Trump. It’s ...
Thailand Revamps EV Incentives as Chinese Brands Surge
Thailand has rewritten its electric-vehicle incentive rules, revamping Thailand EV incentives by shifting deadlines and tightening subsidy conditions. The National Electric Vehicle Policy Board approved the changes at its first meeting under the new administration, ...
Thailand Turns to China to Lift Tourism With 1,000 Charter Flights
Thailand is turning to China to drive a recovery in foreign tourism, leaning on a surge of planned chartered flights. The Tourism and Sports Ministry said Thailand expects more than 1,000 charter flights from China, Macau and Taiwan through mid-2026 as authorities target a return to ...