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 ...
Country: Cameroon
Chinese-funded, Constructed Sakaï Solar Plant Powers up Central Africa Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR)’s first photovoltaic power plant is now operational following the successful launch of operation of the Sakaï Solar Power Plant last week. In the CAR, power cuts sometimes last 16 hours a day, badly hitting the ...
How Chinese Demand for African Pangolins Worsens Security in Cameroon
The African pangolin is a small mammal covered in hard scales. These scales are used in Chinese traditional medicine, fueling an illegal global trade that is driving these shy animals to extinction. Pangolins are now the most poached animal on earth, with one being killed every three ...
Awards for Online Influencers From Global South Countries Who “Tell Good China Stories”
Chinese propaganda authorities recognized seven online content influencers from various countries around the world, including Cameroon and Iran for their contributions to "presenting a true, panoramic view of China." The awards were given on Friday at the inaugural China Storyteller ...
Backgrounder: China-Australia Iron Ore Fight
The Australian-based company Sundance Resources is suing the China-linked Australia-based AustSino for malpractice and corruption over the Mbalam-Nabeba iron project on the border of Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. The court case has led to eye-popping allegations, including that the dispute ...
China Urges All of Its People in Central African Republic to Remain in Place Following Attack That Killed 9
Unknown gunmen launched a pre-dawn raid early Sunday morning on a newly-opened Chinese-operated mine near the Central African Republic (CAR) capital of Bangui, killing 9 Chinese nationals and injuring two others. It's not clear at this time who is responsible and ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Awkward Timing as Italy Withdraws from BRI
China’s Special Rep For Africa Wraps Up Visit to Cameroon
One of China's top diplomats for Africa, Liu Yuxi, concluded a three-day visit to Cameroon on Tuesday following talks with Chinmoun Oumaru, the Secretary General of the Ministry of External Relations. Liu, the Foreign Ministry's Special Representative for African Affairs, is currently touring the continent. Earlier, he ...
Wang Touts China’s Human Rights Record to Visiting Asian, African Diplomats on Their Way To Visit Xinjiang
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke glowingly of Beijing's human rights record with indirect references to the situation in Xinjiang when he met on Tuesday with a delegation of visiting UN diplomats from Asian and African countries. The group ...
Split Views in Africa Over China’s Push to Build Parliaments and Other Government Buildings Across the Continent
The imminent handover of the newly-built Zimbabwe parliament building that was almost entirely paid for by the Chinese government has prompted a lively debate online about China's so-called "Palace Diplomacy" in Africa. Opinions about the new hall in Harare ...
Sinosteel Signs Iron Ore Deal with Cameroon
The Chinese state-owned steelmaker Sinosteel signed a $690 million deal to mine iron ore at southern Cameroon’s Lobe Mine. The deal is part of China’s ongoing attempts to lessen its dependence on Australian iron ore, as it also diversifies its sourcing away from other major suppliers, like Brazil. ...
China and 22 Francophone African Countries Talk Democracy
China recently convened an online seminar 22 French-speaking African countries to discuss democracy. The online meeting, on “The Exploration and Practice of Democracy in Chinese and African Legislative Bodies” drew in members of China’s National People’s Assembly, and about 90 African representatives.