China’s Vice President Han Zheng addressed the UN General Assembly on Thursday. Along with retreads of established Chinese positions on Taiwan, Ukraine, and the Israel/Palestine conflict, his comments also provided interesting clues about China’s messaging to the Global South.
First, he called on the international community to “follow the direction of a multipolar world” with the UN at its center. I wonder how opinion within Beijing’s inner circles breaks down around the bipolarity/multipolarity issue, considering ...
Country: Kenya
How China’s Economic Slowdown Impacts Developing Countries
The Chinese economy is in trouble. Exports, manufacturing output, and investment are all down. Unemployment, particularly among young people is up. Provincial debt is now at a record $8 trillion while a burgeoning property crisis has eliminated a once reliable source ...
Chinese Lending to Africa Plunges to 20-Year Low
Chinese lending to African countries plunged to below a billion dollars in 2022, the lowest level in two decades, according to new data from the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University. The findings confirm that the era of Beijing financing ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Unpacking Han Zheng’s Messaging to the Global South at the UN General Assembly
WEEK IN REVIEW: AU in G20 and the New “Chinese Savior” Narrative in Africa
The Chinese Foreign Ministry was among the first major governments this week to welcome the African Union as the newest member of the G20. The big question now is what will the AU do now that it has a seat at ...
Q&A: Financing a Renewables Shift in African Countries as China’s New “Small or Beautiful” Model Takes Root
If you look at the specific demands of many African countries, they are now more focused on production-related activities rather than fancy highways that lead to nowhere.
China’s Invisibility at the Africa Climate Summit and the Disappointing “Western Agenda” Nairobi Declaration
Economic issues back home and the recent BRICS summit in South Africa possibly contributed to China’s largely subdued presence at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in Nairobi this week. Kevin Gallagher, director of the Global Development Policy Center at Boston ...
Africa Climate Summit Ends With Anger at Western Dominance, Near No-Show from China
The African Climate Summit wrapped up on Wednesday with the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration. It calls for: Reforms of the international financing system to lower the cost of climate financing for poor countries via more concessional lending and targeted ...
TRANSLATION: Africa Is Not Paradise for Chinese Bosses
There’s been a recent flurry of posts on WeChat from various accounts in different countries that tout the enormous opportunities available for Chinese entrepreneurs on the continent. Some of these accounts are either directly or indirectly affiliated with various Chinese government agencies and appear intended to encourage ...
At the Africa Climate Summit, China Can Lead by Example on Financing Sustainable Development in Africa
By Kevin P. Gallagher The climate crisis was caused by actors outside of Africa, yet Africans are suffering among the worst effects from climate change. Looking forward, African nations need to mobilize financing upwards of 10% of GDP annually to adapt to ...
African Climate Summit Starts in Nairobi Amid Anger at Event’s “Western Agenda”
The first day of the inaugural African Climate Summit in Nairobi started with long queues as thousands of journalists and tens of thousands of delegates tried to get into the Kenyatta International Convention Center. More than twenty heads of state and key ...
Chinese Presence at Climate Summit So Far Limited to e-Vehicle Photo-Op
The highlight of the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) for Chinese e-vehicle manufacturers was President William Ruto’s self-drive from the State House to the Kenyatta International Convention Center in a small, bright yellow e-car. Manufactured in Liuzhou, China, the Air Yetu was ...
Q&A: African, Chinese and European Scientists Collaborating to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Kenya’s Smallholder Farms
A growing number of joint research projects between Chinese and African scientists on climate change is increasing collaboration, producing different data to help address challenges brought on by changing weather patterns. At the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Zhu ...
Kenya Hosts Climate Summit With Hopes of Debt Restructuring, Green Financing and China’s “Small or Beautiful” Impact on Energy Access
A Chinese delegation led by their Minister of Environment, Huang Runqiu, is in Kenya for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) kicking off today and which will be used as a platform to discuss green financing and debt, among other highlights.