China’s decision to suspend presidential term limits is still reverberating around the world. The announcement, made after a vote by China’s parliament in March, prompted…
China in Africa
Chinese conglomerates are making the most of Africa's cheap labor, natural resources, and need for infrastructure. We examine how much those countries benefit; what political influence China gets from its investments; and the culture clashes that arise between locals and Chinese already living and working in African countries both large and small.
SELF-ASSURED
China is getting more aggressive in dismissing US comments about its influence in Africa
The United States is worried about China’s engagement in Africa, and how it is jockeying to spread its diplomatic, military and trade influence across the…
GETTING TOUGH
China is trying to rein in its vessels illegally depleting fish stocks in West Africa
China is increasingly cracking down on vessels from its country that are engaged in illegal fishing activities in West Africa. It’s a move environmental groups…
PUSHOVER
China’s growing African footprint could lock the US out from its lone Africa base
On the days before and after US secretary of State Rex Tillerson embarked on his first official trip to Africa, one issue has risen as…
LEERY TALES
Chinese media is obsessed with portraying China as Africa’s savior
You could compile a long list of ‘blackfaces’ in East Asian media over the last decade. But the latest version this Euro-American racist archetype in…
PORT AUTHORITY
Eight countries in danger of falling into China’s “debt trap”
Last year, with more than $1 billion in debt to China, Sri Lanka handed over a port to companies owned by the Chinese government. Now…
POINTED ACCUSATION
China is pushing Africa into debt, says America’s top diplomat
US secretary of State Rex Tillerson has criticized China’s model of economic development in Africa, saying it encouraged dependency and denied governments long-term democratic growth.…
INSENSITIVE
China’s media is struggling to overcome its racial stereotypes of Africa
For most Chinese people, the Spring Festival is a time to honor family ties, friendships and acquaintances. This is what producers of this year’s Annual…
SANCTUARY STABLES
African countries won’t need to worry about China’s demand for donkey hides, for now
China has a plan to address the ban on exports of donkey slaughter imposed by many African countries it was used to trading with: to…
SINO-BLACKFACE RELATIONS
China’s state TV ran a racist skit with blackface as Africans for its Lunar New Year show
In what is probably one of the world’s most watched non-sports live broadcasts, Chinese state television thought blackface was a fitting tribute to Sino-African relations.…
HACKING AFRICA
China “gifted” the African Union a headquarters building and then allegedly bugged it for state secrets
China’s government has denied reports that it spied on the servers at the African Union’s Chinese-built headquarters for more than five years, gaining access to…
REVERSAL OF FORTUNES
The recent history of the global economy, in one chart
In 1950, the average African had almost twice as much income as the average Asian. At 63% of the world’s average, she wasn’t far behind…
