CGSP Podcasts
Weekly discussions with key thought leaders about China’s engagement in Africa and the Global South.
podcast
China's Mystery Deal with the African Union
It's not really news anymore when China announces yet another massive infrastructure construction deal in Africa. Typically these deals are done at the national level so when Beijing and the African Union signed a major transport infrastructure MOU in late January it did raise ...
Flash of Anti-Chinese Xenophobia in the DR Congo
Anti-government protestors filled the streets of the DRC capital Kinshasa on January 19 and 20 to protest against a new election law making its way through the National Assembly. The new law calls for a national census before another presidential election is held which ...
China Foreign Minister to Africa: 'We're Not Building an Empire'
There is a custom in Chinese diplomacy that the Foreign Minister's first overseas trip of the year always begins in Africa. This year was no exception as Wang Yi led a high-profile tour of five African states including Kenya, Sudan, the DR Congo, Cameroon ...
South Africa: China's BFF in Africa
South Africa is emerging as one of China's most important international partners as the relationship deepens across all levels. Economically, South Africa is the source of more Chinese investment than any other country on the continent. However, this relationship extends far beyond just investment. ...
Religion Among African Immigrants in China
Nestled in apartments and offices throughout the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou are dozens of improvised churches that cater to the region's Pentacostal Africans, largely from Nigeria. These churches not only serve the community's religious needs but also act as a sort of cultural ...
From 'Made in China' to 'Made in Africa'
A growing number of Chinese companies are looking to outsource production overseas in a bid to lower costs and meet Beijing's increasingly stringent environmental laws. Ethiopia and South Africa are among the beneficiaries of this new trend as Chinese apparel, textile and even steel ...
China in Africa: 2014 Year in Review
2014 marked another landmark year in Sino-African relations as bilateral trade between the two regions broke new records while political/diplomatic/military ties all strengthened across the board. Yet despite the tangible progress made this year, this burgeoning relationship also began to encounter some of its ...
Who Are the Chinese in Africa?
Some say the number of Chinese in Africa now exceeds one million people, some even go as high as two million. Although no one has a precise accounting of just how many Chinese migrants now live on the continent, there is no doubt their ...
Mali's $11 billion Chinese Gamble
Mali appears to be engaged in a risky diplomatic face-off with China over a proposed $11 billion rail project. While Chinese officials have refused to publicly commit to the project, Malian leaders say the two mine-to-coast rail contracts have actually been finalized. Other African ...
The BRICS Bank: China's Drive To Shake Up Development Finance
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (aka the 'BRICS') are moving forward with an ambitious plan to shake up the clubby world of development finance. The new BRICS bank announced over the summer 2014 is expected to have a profound impact on the ...
A Career in China-Africa Research
Dr. Yoon Jung Park is among the most well-known Sino-Africa scholars in the field. Dr. Park has taught and done research on China-African affairs for over 20 years at universities in both the U.S. and Africa. Now based in Washington D.C., where she co-founded ...
Report: Chinese Diplomats & Officials Tied To Ivory Trade in Africa
A recent report by the UK-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) alleges Chinese diplomats and officials are directly involved in the ivory trade in Africa. Most damaging, the EIA reports that even some members of visiting Chinese president Xi Jinxing's delegation smuggled dozens of kilos ...