Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump lashed out at the World Bank on Friday, blaming the international financial institution for lending money to China. “Why is the World Bank loaning money to China? Can this be possible? China has plenty of money, and if they don’t, they …
Read More »China unveils plan to boost pork production
Beijing, China | AFP | China will free up as much land as possible to restore pork production to pre-swine fever levels — including areas designated pig-free zones for environmental reasons, the agriculture ministry said Friday. Authorities outlined a three-year plan to boost its pig-breeding facilities in a bid to restore …
Read More »Zimbabwe VP Chiwenga returns after months of medical care in China
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who led the ousting of Robert Mugabe, returned home Saturday, four months after he was airlifted to China for medical care, state media reported. Chiwenga, 63, who is seen as a major power-broker in Zimbabwean politics, had been in and …
Read More »China says only it can rule on Hong Kong constitution
Beijing, China | AFP | China insisted Tuesday it alone held the authority to rule on constitutional matters in Hong Kong, as it condemned a decision by the city’s high court to overturn a ban on face masks worn by pro-democracy protesters. The statement raised hackles among activists in Hong …
Read More »Hong Kong: Police warn of ‘live fire’ as campus protest siege deepens
Hong Kong, China | AFP | Hong Kong police Monday warned for the first time in months of unrest that they may use “live rounds” after pro-democracy protesters fired arrows and threw petrol bombs at officers at a besieged university campus, as the crisis engulfing the city sharply escalated. Protests …
Read More »Brexit will make Britain ‘second-rate player’: EU’s Tusk
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | Britain will be a “second-rate player” after Brexit, unable to compete with big powers like the US, China and EU, outgoing EU Council president Donald Tusk warned Wednesday. The former Polish premier said Brexit supporters were deluded if they thought leaving the EU would bring a …
Read More »China export drop beats forecasts in October but more pain tipped
Beijing, China | AFP | China’s exports suffered their third month of decline in October, and while the drop was less than expected there were warnings Friday of more pain to come as the US trade war rumbles on. While tensions between the world’s top two economies are beginning to ease, …
Read More »Lost their way: Chinese orienteering team caught cheating at World Military games
Beijing, China | AFP | A cheating Chinese orienteering team was disqualified after losing its moral compass and using secret paths and markings during the Military World Games in China. The home team bagged some of the top spots in a middle-distance competition, which sees runners navigating their way across …
Read More »Trump says ‘phase 1’ China trade pact on track for November
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Monday said progress in developing the text of a partial trade pact with China means he will likely be able to sign it next month. Trump remains upbeat on the chances Beijing and Washington will seal the mini-deal he announced …
Read More »Experts caution African countries on loans from China
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | China’s loans to African countries have been questioned with experts saying China is here to actualize self-interests. This featured prominently in discussions at the 2019 Kampala Geopolitics Conference in Makerere University. Ingo Badoreck, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) director Rule of Law programme in West Africa …
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