Reflections on the legacy of Jiang Zemin, China’s president from 1993 to 2003, who passed away on Wednesday, emphasized how he presided over a decade of explosive economic growth. Fewer have pointed out that he was also a key architect of China’s current relationship with Africa.
After the Mao era, emblematized by Chinese involvement in African anti-colonial struggles, the relationship went dormant as China focused on building economic ties ...
Country: Namibia
WEEK IN REVIEW: Namibia Is Emerging as a Key Lithium Producer for the Chinese Market
Namibia is emerging as a key lithium producer for the Chinese market. In August, 25,000 tons of the strategic metal were shipped from the Port of Walvis Bay with another 50,000 tons prepped to leave later this month. Namibian authorities also want to position Walvis Bay as a ...
It’s the West’s Fault, Not Russia’s There Are Food Shortages in Africa, According to Chinese State Media
Chinese state media is promoting the narrative that the worsening food crisis in Africa is due to Western sanctions against Russia rather than because Moscow invaded a sovereign country. CGTN published a short clip on Tuesday of an ...
“Chinatown is Closed! Close the Shop or We Burn the Shop Down”
A growing anti-immigrant movement in South Africa says it is now targeting not only undocumented immigrants, but even those with residency permits doing low-skilled work. Operation Dudula (“force out” in isiZulu) made clear they are campaigning against both African and Chinese undocumented workers, and ...
Don’t Shoot Your Employees and Don’t Pay Bribes Are Among the Chinese Embassy in Namibia’s Recommendations on How Expatriates Should Behave Better
The Chinese embassy in Namibia really wants its overseas compatriots who live and work in the country to improve their behavior. And to help them, the embassy this week published on its WeChat page a rather illuminating list of eight examples of recent transgressions committed ...
Namibia is the Latest African Country That Wants to Build a Railway to the Southern DRC’s Cobalt Mining Zone
Namibia is the latest in a growing number of African countries that wants to become the gateway for Congolese cobalt and other resources. The Namibian transport ministry just completed a feasibility study for a 770km railway that will connect the southern DRC mining hub of ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Jiang Zemin Created the Africa-China Relationship As We Know It Today
Four Different Chinese Ambassadors are Moving On
An unusually large number of Chinese ambassadors announced this week they will be leaving their posts in at least four African countries. It's just a coincidence that so many are happening at once and there is no indication that any of the envoys have been recalled.
China Moving Quickly to Diversify Sourcing of Strategic Minerals and Metals With New Deals Announced in Africa, Asia and LatAm
With demand for the minerals and metals used to power electric vehicles far outstripping supply, China's largest mining companies are moving quickly to diversify their sourcing strategic resources including cobalt, nickel, lithium and rare earths among others. There's been a lot ...
Uganda’s Parliament Considering New Law to Bolster Local Construction Companies Against Chinese Competition
The Ugandan parliament is considering a bill proposed by infrastructure minister Katumba Wamala that would provide sanctuary to local construction companies when bidding for smaller road contracts. Although China was not mentioned in the proposed legislation specifically, it's widely ...
Namibian Opposition Leader: “Chinese Must Respect Us”
Tensions between Chinese companies and local labor unions have been simmering all year and now it appears the issue is escalating into a charged political attack against the government for not doing enough to protect worker rights. "People are ...
A Young Chinese Expat Reflects on What’s She Learned After Six Years of Living in Namibia
Chinese expatriate life in Africa is often seen as a mystery to outsiders due to the significant cultural and linguistic barriers that get in the way of closer ties. Like many immigrant populations around the world, Chinese residents in Africa often live in tight-knit communities that are ...