A globally connected network of solar and wind energy could provide three times the global energy demand by 2050 at a lower cost than independent national power systems. This is the finding of a study led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in collaboration with researchers from the United States and Denmark.
The study focused on how areas with high solar and wind capacity (such as deserts) can be linked ...
Category: Social Media
China Calls for Global Stance Against U.S. “Bullying” in New Video Message
The Chinese government released a striking new video message aimed at building up global solidarity in its ongoing standoff with the Trump administration. The video is subtitled in both English and Chinese and comprises a rapid montage of images with voiceover narration.
Chinese Company in West Africa Turns Nigeria’s Political Dysfunction Into a Controversial Marketing Campaign
A Chinese wholesale company in Nigeria sparked widespread controversy with its new ad that leverages the West African country's political dysfunction to promote its services. The ad opens with a news clip of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu telling viewers that he "feels ...
Brazil Passed on Joining the Belt and Road Initiative But You Would Never Know That in China
Chinese authorities appear to have blocked all discussion online of the news that Brazil once again refused Beijing's invitation to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Since Chief Advisor to the President of Brazil, Celso Amorim, announced the decision last week, ...
West African Social Media Fizzes With Pro-BRICS Content
By Emilie Beraud et Célia Lebur West African social media is abuzz with posts promoting a "brighter future" in partnership with non-Western powers, especially those belonging to the BRICS emerging economies meeting this week in Russia.
France lifts TikTok Ban in New Caledonia as Calm Returns
French authorities on Wednesday said they had lifted a ban on TikTok in New Caledonia, which they suspect is fueling recent unrest in the French Pacific territory. The move came after a state of emergency in New Caledonia ended on Tuesday, ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Why Did France Ban TikTok in Pacific New Caledonia?
France has taken the dramatic step of blocking TikTok in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia as part of efforts to quell days of violent unrest. It is the latest clash between democratic governments and the Chinese-owned social media platform.
Video of Chinese Man Whipping Two African Young People Goes Viral
A horrifying video of a Chinese man brutally whipping two young men appeared online late last week and quickly went viral, racking up more than 30 million views on X and other social media platforms. While the clip was widely seen and ...
India’s Influencers Still Struggle Years After TikTok Ban
By Asma Hafiz with Anuj Srivas Choreographer Sahil Kumar found fame showcasing folk dances on TikTok, but his profile has been dormant since the video he posted four years ago supporting India's decision to ban the platform.
TikTok Stops Working in Kyrgyzstan After Ban Proposals
Kyrgyzstan appears to have blocked TikTok after the Central Asian country's security services called to restrict the social media app to "protect children". When AFP journalists in the country tried to access TikTok on Thursday, a message read: "Unable to load, ...
There’s a Simple Explanation Why Three Runners From Kenya and Ethiopia Allowed a Chinese National to Win the Beijing Half Marathon
The organizers of the Beijing half marathon said Monday they were investigating after footage, shared widely online, appeared to show three African runners deliberately allowing China's He Jie to win. Video clips of Sunday's race showed the Kenyans, Robert Keter and ...
The State of Chinese Tech in Africa With Benjamin Dada
For much of the past ten years, Chinese technology in Africa focused largely on devices and infrastructure. But today, the conversations also include issues related to governance, online services, and the emergence of artificial intelligence. ...
ByteDance Shuts Down Free African Messaging App That Failed to Challenge WhatsApp
Chinese tech firm ByteDance shut down its three-year-old multimedia messaging app LetsChat earlier this month, a rare defeat for the social media giant that hoped the platform would take off among Africa’s ballooning youth population. In contrast to TikTok, ByteDance’s short ...