The BRICS group wrapped up its two-day leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. The summit’s final communique is a 16,000-word doorstop that covers numerous issues from economics to education.
The communique avoids any direct mention of the United States, and references to “unilateralism” and other coded criticism are also relatively scarce. Rather, the communique keeps the focus on the BRICS’ vision of the strengthening and reform of the global multilateral system ...
Category: Social Media
Chinese Grad Student in India Sheds Light on How India Talks About China Behind Closed Doors
A Chinese international relations student known online as “Li Zishuo in India” has attracted hundreds of thousands of followers on Weibo and Bilibili by sharing his experiences studying at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), one of India’s most politically engaged and left-leaning campuses. His stories offer a rare ...
A Crocodile Feast in Congo Brazzaville Sparks a Cultural Reckoning on Chinese Social Media
On the bustling streets of Brazzaville’s so-called “Ghost Market,” a Chinese food vlogger nicknamed Bing Shu captured what he called the “national dish of Congo”: a fresh-killed crocodile feast, right off the street-side chopping block. His wide-eyed reactions to grilled monkeys, with teeth still intact, and bubbling ...
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, ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
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, ...
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 ...