Failure, scandal and success: Taking stock of Mnangagwa’s China ‘mega deals’
In April this year, the State-controlled Herald splashed a triumphant headline across its front page: “Chinese company to build $7bn tourism city”. A Chinese firm, the Touchroad Group, planned to build a $7 billion tourism city in Zimbabwe, the paper said, gleefully adding that this came as “investor interest in Zimbabwe by international tourism players […]
Can India Keep Pace With China in Africa?
If it weren’t for China, Africa’s largest trading partner would be India. But how different is its mode of engagement? With China’s top-level Africa forum set to begin in Beijing on 3-4 September, many outsiders not invited to the party will be watching closely. Among them will be China’s populous neighbour, and sometimes rival, India. […]
China not exploiting Africa: Top official
CHINA has defended its investment policies in Africa, saying trade between the two was mutually beneficial and not meant to exploit the continent. Addressing the Press ahead of the Forum on China Africa Co-operation (Focac) summit which opens in Beijing tomorrow, Chinese charge d’affairs in Zimbabwe, Zhao Baogang said his country had extended loans of […]
Xi Jinping heads to Africa to clinch China’s hold over the continent
Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to Africa this week as Beijing moves to further cement its role as one of the continent’s closest economic and diplomatic allies. After a brief stop in the Persian Gulf Thursday, Xi’s itinerary — his first overseas trip since beginning his second term as leader — takes him to Senegal, […]
Kim Jong Un visits China for the third time, showing ties with Beijing are stronger than ever
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is making a two-day visit to Beijing, Chinese state media reported Tuesday, a week after his unprecedented summit with US President Donald Trump. The outing comes as China has sought to strengthen its role as a mediator between the US and North Korea, where Beijing claims compelling security and […]
China’s Foreign Policy Experiment in South Sudan
China’s longstanding principle of non-interference in other states’ internal affairs is evolving with its growing global footprint. As Chinese overseas investment and business links grow in scope and depth, Beijing faces increasing threats to its citizens, economic interests and international reputation. That, in turn, has confronted China with the inherent limitations of its traditional hands-off […]
How does a plagiarized car stack up against the real Range Rover Evoque?
Taking a victory lap around the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show, it’s easy to see many examples of blatant design rip offs of cars from much more established automakers. Some Chinese companies look a little too closely at the Porsche Macan for inspiration while others go for the while others target the rough proportions and seven-slat […]
China experts: North Korea not on war footing, fighting unlikely
Chinese experts see little immediate possibility of hostilities breaking out between the US and North Korea, but say Beijing will respond harshly to any further North Korean nuclear tests. Director of Jilin University’s Institute of Northeast Asian Studies Gui Rui says President Donald Trump’s domestic troubles should prevent him taking such action, while North Korea […]
China stops coal trade with North Korea, sends shipment back
A fleet of North Korean cargo ships is heading home to the port of Nampo, the majority of it fully laden, after China ordered its trading companies to return coal from the isolated country, shipping data shows. Following repeated missile tests that drew international criticism, China banned all imports of North Korean coal on Feb. […]
Brazil rotten meat scandal deepens as China and EU halt some imports
A scandal over expired meats in Brazil has deepened, with the European Union and China deciding to halt some meat imports from Latin America’s largest nation. The developments represent a major blow to Brazil, one of the world’s largest exporters of meat, which is struggling to emerge from its worst recession in decades. The announcements […]
