Italy has announced its formal withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative after joining the China-centered infrastructure and investment project in 2019.
The timing of the announcement that Rome won’t renew its BRI commitment is notable. It came only a day before the EU-China summit, which kicks off on Thursday. The summit will likely be more contentious than usual, with European leaders expected to push China on the treatment of EU firms amid discussions ...
Category: Health
China Discusses Ceasefire, Aid to Gaza with Egypt
China’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, said China is “ready to coordinate” with Egypt to promote a ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The comments came during a phone call with Osama Khedr, the assistant minister of the ...
China’s Economy Rebounds on Back of Increased Trade
China’s economy rebounded in the first quarter of this year, with gross domestic product growing by 4.5%, exceeding expectations. A recovery in retail spending and real estate prices has added to growth, according to new economic figures released on Monday. The 4.5% growth ...
China, Syria Blame U.S. Sanctions on Damascus for Hampering Earthquake Relief
China will send $4.4 million in emergency humanitarian aid to earthquake-hit Syria. The announcement came as China also echoed a call by Damascus for U.S. and European sanctions to be lifted to facilitate the delivery of aid. The ...
Chinese Search and Rescue Teams Now on the Ground in Turkey with Dozens More on the Way
An 82-person Chinese search and rescue team is on the ground in earthquake-hit Türkiye after arriving at Adana airport on Wednesday. The team brought 20 tons of medical supplies, rescue equipment, and four sniffer dogs. The team
China Sends Personnel, Aid to Assist With Quake Recovery in Türkiye
China announced a series of measures to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Türkiye and Syria in response to Tuesday's devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed at least 8,000 people. Beijing is still a relatively new actor in being able ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Awkward Timing as Italy Withdraws from BRI
Chinese Tourist Flight Given Hero’s Welcome in Cambodia
In a sign of how eager Southeast Asian countries are to welcome back Chinese visitors, the first flight from China since outbound travel resumed was given a ceremonial welcome when it landed on Tuesday in the Cambodian capital Phenom Penh. Cambodia ...
Symbolism Galore as Qin Gang Opens Africa CDC HQ
Qin Gang’s many photo-ops in Addis Ababa included the opening ceremony of the Chinese-built Africa Centers for Disease Control Headquarters building on Wednesday. This is the latest in a series of high-profile buildings for African multilateral and government bodies built by China, ...
China’s Highly Selective Retribution Against Countries That Impose COVID Tests
The Chinese government on Tuesday stopped issuing short-term visas to travelers from South Korea and Japan in retaliation against COVID tests both countries imposed on Chinese visitors. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the testing requirement for Chinese nationals "unacceptable" and "unscientific."
Chinese Arrivals Feted at Bangkok Airport
In a striking demonstration of how central Chinese tourism is to Southeast Asian economies, travelers arriving from a reopening China were literally applauded as they disembarked in Bangkok this week.
Mixed Reactions in Asia, Africa About the Return of Chinese Tourists
For the first time in three years, as of Sunday, Chinese nationals are now permitted to travel abroad, prompting a wave of nervous excitement among tourism operators in Asia and elsewhere about the long-awaited return of cash-flush Chinese travelers. Outbound travel ...