Tag Archives: Russia

China: Daily Scan, March 14, 2022

China’s top legislator visits journalists covering annual session: Xinhuanet
March 13, 2022

China’s top legislator Li Zhanshu has visited journalists covering the annual session of the national legislature. Li, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, commended reporters for their coverage of the fifth session of the 13th NPC and sent greetings to them at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday. Click here to read…

China releases reports on budgets, national economic and social development plans: Xinhuanet
March 13, 2022

Two reports approved Friday at the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress were released in full via Xinhua News Agency on Sunday. The report on the implementation of the 2021 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2022 draft plan for national economic and social development has three parts: Click here to read…

Chinese lawmakers pass decision on electoral rules for 14th NPC: Xinhuanet
March 11, 2022

Chinese national lawmakers on Friday approved a decision on the quota and election of deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the closing meeting of the fifth session of the 13th NPC. Click here to read…

Chinese premier vows timely support for contact-based service firms: Xinhuanet

March 11, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged Friday timely support for contact-based service firms, in particular small ones that have suffered the most amid the COVID-19 epidemic, in an effort to stabilize employment and economy. Click here to read…

China’s State Council appoints, removes officials: Xinhuanet
March 11, 2022

China’s State Council on Friday announced the latest appointment and removal of officials. Guo Tingting was appointed assistant minister of commerce, according to a statement issued by the State Council. Click here to read…

China detects overseas cyberattacks: Xinhuanet
March 11, 2022

China has detected continuous cyberattacks targeting its internet since late February, the country’s cybersecurity watchdog said Friday. Click here to read…

Joint Press Release of the 15th Round of China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting: China Military
March 12, 2022

The 15th round China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on 11th March 2022. The two sides carried forward their discussions from the previous round held on 12th January 2022 for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector. Click here to read…

China’s BeiDou enters new phase of stable services, rapid development: China Military
March 11, 2022

China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has entered a new phase of sustained stable services and rapid development, according to the China Satellite Navigation Office on Friday. Measured by the global continuous monitoring and evaluation system, the BDS-3 system shows an advanced performance index in providing global positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services, with more outstanding performance in the Asia-Pacific region, said the office. Click here to read…

China’s top legislature approves way to choose HK NPC deputies: Global Times
March 11, 2022

Chinese lawmakers on Friday passed a method for Hong Kong to elect deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the closing meeting of the fifth session of the 13th NPC, which stressed that national legislators elected from the special administrative region must be firm patriots and those who have been convicted for harming national security be disqualified. Click here to read…

China fights severest COVID-19 outbreaks with swift responses: Global Times
March 13, 2022

As China faces its severest domestic COVID-19 outbreaks in two years with a record 1,807 new cases reported on Sunday, the country has launched a swift response to contain the virus spread, including allowing rapid antigen tests for public use and sacking senior officials for their slack response to the ongoing health crisis. Click here to read…

Door between China and US should not be shut again or pushed toward decoupling, says Chinese Premier: Global Times
March 11, 2022

With door between China and the US being opened 50 years ago, it should not be shut again or pushed toward decoupling, and cooperation between the two countries carries significance for both and the wider world, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday morning, adding that competition between the two economies in economic and trade areas should be “benign and fair.” Click here to read…

China delivers first J-10CE fighter jets to Pakistan in a milestone move: Global Times
March 11, 2022

The Pakistan Air Force on Friday held an induction ceremony for the first batch of six J-10CE fighter jets in Kamra, with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan attending the event. The official commissioning of China’s new-generation main battle aircraft into the Pakistan Air Force marks the systematized, organic export of such aviation equipment by China, and is yet another major milestone in the export of China’s advanced aviation equipment, the Global Times learned from the aircraft’s maker, state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), on Friday. Click here to read…

7 killed in North China plant fire: China Daily
March 14, 2022

Seven people were killed in a fire at a chemical plant early Monday in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, local authorities said. The fire broke out at about 2:08 am Monday in the Hondlon District in the city of Baotou, and was brought under control about an hour later. Seven people were missing. Click here to read…

Mayor removed from post in Jilin city: China Daily

March 13, 2022

Wang Lu, mayor of Jilin city, was removed from his position, according to an official notice released on early Saturday. Wang’s other positions including deputy Party chief of the city in Northeast China’s Jilin province was also removed. Click here to read…

Apple suppliers Foxconn, Unimicron cut output amid China’s COVID curbs: Reuters
March 14, 2022

Apple (AAPL.O) suppliers Foxconn (2317.TW) and Unimicron Technology Corp (3037.TW) said on Monday they have suspended operations in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, after the tech hub imposed strict measures to stem a COVID-19 outbreak. Click here to read…

China’s cyberspace regulator drafts new rules to protect minors: Reuters
March 14, 2022

Companies engaged in online gaming, livestreaming, audio and video in China should set up a “youth mode” to protect minors, according to draft regulations issued on Monday by the Cyberspace Administration of China. Click here to read…

China slams firms for falsifying carbon data: Reuters
March 14, 2022

China’s environment ministry has slammed firms for falsifying carbon data, part of the country’s efforts to improve data quality as it prepares to expand its national emissions trading scheme into more industrial sectors. Click here to read…

Chinese embassy says has never heard of Russian requests for help: Reuters
March 14, 2022

The spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington responded to media reports on Sunday that Moscow had asked Beijing for military equipment since launching its invasion of Ukraine by saying, “I’ve never heard of that.” Click here to read…

China sees worst virus outbreak in two years: Taipei Times
March 14, 2022

Millions of people across China endured lockdowns yesterday as virus cases doubled to nearly 3,400 and anxiety mounted over the resilience of the country’s “zero COVID” approach in the face of the worst outbreak in two years. A nationwide surge in cases has seen authorities close schools in Shanghai and lock down central neighborhoods in the southern tech powerhouse of Shenzhen as well as whole northeastern cities, as almost 18 provinces battle clusters of the Omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, March 9, 2022

NPC Constitution, Law Committee deliberates draft amendment to law on local

legislatures, governments: Xinhuanet
March 9, 2022

The Constitution and Law Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) on Monday deliberated a draft amendment to the Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments. Click here to read…

China’s national legislature holds 2nd plenary meeting of annual session: Xinhuanet
March 9, 2022

The fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature, held its second plenary meeting Tuesday. Chinese leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attended the meeting. Click here to read…

Top commander’s call to strengthen national defense: Xinhuane
March 8, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday highlighted the need to run the military in accordance with the law, issuing his call during a plenary meeting of national lawmakers from the armed forces at the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature. Click here to read…

China better protects women’s rights, interests via law revision: : Xinhuanet
March 9, 2022

Chinese legislators have attached great importance to the protection of women’s rights and interests, according to a work report submitted Tuesday to the country’s national legislature for review. Click here to read…

Chinese, Pakistani FMs hold phone talks: Xinhuanet
March 9, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday held a phone conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the latter’s request. Wang strongly condemned the recent serious terrorist attack in Peshawar city, Pakistan, and once again expressed sincere condolences to Pakistan, saying that China firmly supports Pakistan’s efforts to fight terrorism and safeguard national security and stability. Click here to read…

China urges U.S. to release details of bio-labs in Ukraine: Xinhuanet
March 8, 2022

Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday called on the United States to release all-around details of its biological laboratories in Ukraine, and urged relevant parties to ensure their safety. Click here to read…

Xi holds virtual summit with leaders of France, Germany: Xinhuanet
March 9, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping had a virtual summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday. Xi pointed out that the combined impact of major global changes and the pandemic, both unseen in a century, has brought multiple global challenges that need to be addressed through global cooperation. Click here to read…

SMEs can solidify industrial economy: Xinhuanet
March 9, 2022

China’s greater emphasis on cultivating competitive small and medium-sized enterprises will help further stabilize the industrial chain and trigger the vitality of its industrial economy, officials and experts said. The comments came after the 2022 Government Work Report said China will work to nurture specialized and sophisticated enterprises that produce new and unique products. Click here to read…

China home to 2 mln 5G base stations by end of 2022: Xinhuanet
March 8, 2022

China will work to ensure the number of 5G base stations tops 2 million this year, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Xiao Yaqing said Tuesday. China currently houses around 1.43 million 5G base stations and over 500 million 5G users, Xiao told journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing “two sessions,” adding that the country will also make plans to develop 6G technology. Click here to read…

China’s economic planner outlines reform priorities to further boost growth: Quishi

March 9, 2022

China will carry out major reform measures to further stimulate growth and reduce pressure on its economic and social development, the country’s top economic planner said Monday. Click here to read…

More people charged with buying trafficked women, children: China Daily
March 8, 2022

The number of people charged with the crime of buying trafficked women and children increased to 328 last year from 155 in 2000, according to an annual work report of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, China’s top prosecuting authority. Click here to read…

Science and tech reforms priority for New Year: China Daily
March 9, 2022

Fully implementing reforms and policies related to science and technology will be a priority this year, Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology, said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ongoing two sessions. Enhancing basic research, developing technologies that can support China’s socioeconomic growth, training top-notch talent and improving the country’s overall innovation environment are key goals of the reforms, he added. Click here to read…

Political advisor proposes increasing economic compensations for full-time housewives in case of divorce: Global Times

March 8, 2022

A political advisor’s proposal during China’s two sessions this year calling for raising the amount of economic compensation for full-time housewives has stirred up heated discussions on China’s social media. Click here to read…

Chinese legislator urges efficient use of PLA strategic airlift, installing logistics support devices at civil airports: Global Times
March 8, 2022

China should take advantage of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force’s growing fleet of Y-20 strategic transport aircraft by deploying them in a centralized and highly efficient way, and preinstall related logistics support equipment and devices across the country’s civil airports for the Y-20, a Chinese legislator suggested at the ongoing two sessions in Beijing. Click here to read…

FC-31 stealth fighter spearheads display of cutting-edge Chinese equipment at Saudi Arabia’s 1st World Defense Show: Global Times
March 9, 2022

The Chinese arms industry brought a wide selection of cutting-edge weapons and equipment, including the FC-31 stealth fighter jet, to the ongoing first edition of Saudi Arabia’s World Defense Show in Riyadh. Click here to read…

China’s Xi conveys to France, Germany opposition to Russia sanctions: Kyodo
March 8, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday voiced opposition to punitive sanctions on Russia by Western countries over its attack on Ukraine during a trilateral video summit with his French and German counterparts, state-run media reported. Xi also told French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that China is willing to “play an active role” in settling the ongoing crisis “according to the needs of all parties concerned,” the media said without elaborating. Click here to read…

Two Sessions 2022: electric vehicle bosses propose two different charging solutions as booming industry charts a future course: South China Morning Post
March 9, 2022

Two heavyweights in China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry have lobbied Beijing for different approaches to charging, a key issue in the development of the new energy vehicle market in the country. Lei Jun, chief executive officer of smartphone giant Xiaomi which has recently entered the market and Geely CEO Li Shufu, an automobile industry veteran, have tabled different proposals at China’s annual political gathering asking for the government to change the charging approach for EVs. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, March 7, 2022

China mulls giving more seats to people from grassroots, women in top legislature: Xinhuanet
March 6, 2022

Chinese lawmakers are considering a draft decision to give more seats in its national legislature to people from the grassroots level and women. The draft decision on the quota and election of deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) was submitted on Saturday to the ongoing fifth session of the 13th NPC for deliberation. Click here to read…

Xi visits CPPCC members in sectors of agriculture, welfare and social security: Xinhuanet
March 7, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), president of the People’s Republic of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Sunday visited national political advisors from the sectors of agriculture, welfare and social security, who are attending the fifth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Xi participated in their joint group meeting, and listened to their comments and suggestions. Click here to read…

Chinese premier stresses promoting sustained, sound economic and social development: Xinhuanet
March 6, 2022

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday stressed making oncerted and concrete efforts to ensure sustained and sound economic and social development. Click here to read…

Xi stresses ethnic unity, strengthening sense of community for Chinese nation: Xinhuanet
March 6, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday stressed ethnic unity and efforts to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation when he joined a deliberation during the annual session of the National People’s Congress, the top legislature. Click here to read…

China to continue promoting green, low-carbon development: Xinhuanet
March 5, 2022

China will continue to improve the environment and promote green and low-carbon development, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation. Click here to read…

China to provide priority support for key projects in 14th Five-Year Plan: draft budget report: Xinhuanet
March 5, 2022

In optimizing the structure of government spending, China will provide priority support for key projects that have been included in the 14th Five-Year Plan and specific plans in key areas, according to a draft budget report submitted to China’s top legislature on Saturday. Click here to read…

China mulls amending law on local legislatures, governments: Xinhuanet
March 5, 2022

The National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, on Saturday deliberated a draft amendment to the Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments. Click here to read…

Decipher China’s development philosophy in Xi’s “two sessions” remarks: Xinhuanet
March 5, 2022

China’s national lawmakers and political advisors have gathered in Beijing for the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also known as the “two sessions.” Click here to read…

China improves supporting measures for three-child policy: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

China will improve measures for the three-child policy, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation. Care expenses for children under three will be included in the special additional deductions for individual income tax. The country will develop public-interest childcare services to ease the burden of raising a family, the report said. Click here to read…

China to implement 10-year plan on basic research to boost scientific, technological innovation: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

China will implement a 10-year action plan on basic research to ensure stable support for scientific and technological innovation over the long term, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation. Click here to read…

China promotes signing of high-standard FTA: Xinhuanet

March 5, 2022

China will work to negotiate and conclude high-standard free trade agreements (FTA) with more countries and regions, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberationClick here to read…

Chinese FM holds phone talks with U.S. secretary of state over bilateral ties, Ukraine: Xinhuanet
March 5, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over China-U.S. relations and the Ukraine issue at the latter’s request. Click here to read…

China vows to keep foreign trade stable: Xinhuanet
March 5, 2022

China will adopt a package of steps to stabilize foreign trade, according to a government work report submitted Saturday to the national legislature for deliberation. The country will help foreign trade enterprises receive orders and maintain production. It will move faster to develop new forms and models of foreign trade, give full play to the role of cross-border e-commerce, and support the establishment of a number of overseas warehouses, said the report. Click here to read…

Building Up the Strength, Quality, and Size of China’s Digital Economy: Quishi
March 3, 2022

In recent years, technologies associated with the Internet, big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain have seen accelerated innovation and gradual integration into all aspects of economic and social development. Countries around the world have rushed to produce development strategies for the digital economy and unveiled related incentive policies. The speed of the digital economy’s development, the extent of its reach, and the level of its impact are unprecedented; and it is fast becoming a critical force that is reordering global production factors, reshaping global economic structures, and transforming global competition. Click here to read…

Fostering a New Development Dynamic Through High-Level Opening Up: Quishi

March 3, 2022

The Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century deliberated and adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee includes the following profound statement. Click here to read…

Defense budget proposed to grow by 7.1%, military urged to upgrade, remain resolute: China Military
March 5, 2022

The central government has proposed a defense budget of 1.45 trillion yuan ($230 billion) for the 2022 fiscal year, a 7.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to a draft budget report submitted to the national legislature on Saturday morning. The figures were included in the report prepared by the Ministry of Finance and distributed at the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Click here to read…

Saudi Arabia inaugurates 1st World Defense Show with cutting-edge Chinese equipment: China Military
March 7, 2022

Saudi Arabia inaugurated on Sunday the first edition of the World Defense Show in Riyadh. The four-day show, which includes 15 national pavilions with a total exhibition area of 900,000 square meters, attracts more than 600 exhibitors from 45 countries and regions. Click here to read…

China to enhance military training to safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests: China Military
March 5, 2022

China will enhance military training and combat readiness, stay firm and flexible in carrying out military struggle, and safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, according to a government work report made public Saturday. The report was submitted to the national legislature for deliberation. Click here to read…

China to accelerate innovation-driven development: China Daily
March 5, 2022

A child takes part in an art exhibition using virtual reality devices at an art museum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo by Long Wei/For China Daily]
China will step up efforts to promote innovation-driven development this year, with a key focus on promoting scientific and technological innovation as well as industrial upgrading, the government wrote in its 2022 Government Work Report. Click here to read…

Domestically transmitted COVID-19 infections surpass 500 Sunday in Chinese mainland, affecting 13 provinces: Global Times
March 7, 2022

The domestically transmitted COVID-19 infections tally in Chinese mainland on Sunday soared to more than 500 with 214 confirmed cases and 312 asymptomatic cases respectively, the highest since 2022Click here to read…

Advisors suggest promotion of nationwide DNA database to end child trafficking: Global Times
March 6, 2022

In the wake of the tragic trafficking of a woman in Jiangsu Province, human trafficking – especially that of women and children – has became one of the most glaring domestic issues discussed during the ongoing two sessions, with several deputies and advisors calling for the establishment of a nationwide DNA database to resolve the thorny problem. Click here to read…

China’s defense budget growth justified as restrained amid foreign media hype: Global Times
March 6, 2022

China’s 7.1 percent increase to its defense budget in 2022 is a restrained move that aims to safeguard the country’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and development interests, as well as to provide public security goods to the world, experts said on Sunday, in response to Western media’s one-sided interpretation that hypes the military spending plan being the fastest increase since 2019 and outpaces the country’s GDP growth target. Click here to read…

China resolute to share market opportunities with rest of world: People’s Daily
March 6, 2022

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, expanded 11.6 percent year on year to 102.28 billion yuan ($16.12 billion) in January, according to statistics recently released by the country’s Ministry of Commerce. Click here to read…

Technology commercialization agents in China help translate sci-tech achievements into products: People’s Daily
March 6, 2022

To translate scientific and technological achievements into products, the last crucial hurdle in aspects such as policies, capital, patent filing, and market has to be addressed. In an effort to strengthen communication between industries and research institutes, Hubei province in central China has nurtured technology commercialization agents and built an education and management platform for these talents. Click here to read…

China’s ZTE faces hearing over possible violation of U.S. probation: Reuters
March 5, 2022

ZTE Corp., the Chinese telecom equipment maker, will go back to U.S. federal court March 14 to face a new accusation it may have violated its probation from its 2017 guilty plea for illegally shipping U.S. technology to Iran. Click here to read…

China’s President Xi reiterates grain security, urges for domestic dominance: Reuters

March 6, 2022

China’s President Xi Jinping said on Sunday that the country must ensure grain security and reliance on the domestic market to maintain production, state broadcaster CCTV reported. China should guarantee capacity at home and import grains “appropriately”, Xi said at a meeting with delegates from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), an advisory body to parliament. Click here to read…

China says friendship with Russia is ‘rock solid’: Reuters
March 7, 2022

China’s friendship with Russia is “rock solid” and the prospects for cooperation are very broad, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday. Cooperation between the two countries brings benefits and well-being to the two peoples, he told his annual news conference on the sidelines of China’s annual meeting of parliament. Click here to read…

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 10, 2022)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

Explaining Israel’s Africa policy

In February 2022, the annual summit of the African Union (AU) took place in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, also headquarter of the African Union. The principal objective of the meeting was to evaluate AU’s achievements over the past year, particularly in the context of the recent surge of military coups and the ways to recover from the pandemic. Click here to read…

NEWS

Somalia enters transition as Amisom gives way to ATMIS

After one and a half-decade of operation, the African Union Mission in Somalia, Amisom, will, starting end of this month, transition to the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Click here to read…

Burkina Faso appoints interim government after January coup

The new government of 25 ministers includes Defence Minister General Barthelemy Simpore, who has retained the position he held under Kabore, according to the decree. Click here to read…

Malian army says dozens of its soldiers killed in jihadist attack

A jihadist attack on a military camp in central Mali on Friday killed 27 soldiers and 47 “terrorists” were “neutralised”, the country’s army said. Click here to read…

Ethiopia Brings Nile River Dam Online as Sudan, Egypt Object

Ethiopia has begun generating electricity at its new 5,000-MW roller-compacted concrete gravity-type dam on the Nile River. The first 375 MW went to the national grid on Feb. 20. Click here to read…

Sudan welcomes military base agreement with Russia in the Red Sea

Deputy Chairman of Sudan Sovereignty Council, General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalu Hmidti, reported that he discussed cooperation with Russian officials on national security and political issues. Click here to read…

Libyan parliament swears in new PM as crisis deepens

A standoff between two rival governments in Libya risks resulting in the territorial division as the parliament in the east swore in a new administration while the incumbent in Tripoli refused to cede power. Click here to read…

Tanzania president, freed opposition leader vow to ‘build trust’

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and opposition leader Freeman Mbowe pledged to heal rifts and buttress democracy as they met hours after Mbowe was freed from jail in a surprise move. Click here to read…

Anti-junta and anti-France protest rallies hundreds in Chad

Some 500 people demonstrated on Saturday in response to a call from the opposition against the ruling military junta in Chad. Click here to read…

Tensions flare in Eswatini

Eswatini’s King Mswati III has suppressed unrest for now. But opposition voices will continue to push for democracy, possibly leading to a transition of power. Click here to read…

Mozambique announces new prime minister after cabinet reshuffle

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi has appointed a new prime minister and filled several other posts, including the finance minister, as part of a cabinet reshuffle. Click here to read…

China’s Huawei in troubled waters in South Africa over Employment Equity Policy

The Department of Employment and Labour of South Africa last month filed court papers against Huawei Technologies South Africa for not complying with the Employment Equity Policy of the country. Click here to read…

President Kenyatta endorses Raila Odinga in upcoming presidential election

During an address before his Jubilee party supporters on Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said Raila Odinga “meant well for the country”.Click here to read…

More than 200 gunmen killed in Nigeria security operation

At least 200 gunmen were killed in the past three days in Nigeria’s central-northern state of Niger during a security operation to clear armed gangs from the area. Click here to read…

Algeria is Prepared to Fulfil Europe’s Gas Demand

Algerian oil and gas giant, Sonatrach, announced that it is prepared to supply Europe with an increased supply of oil and gas should Russia’s exports not meet Europe’s demand. Additional gas will be exported through the TransMed pipeline, which connects Algeria and Italy. Click here to read…

Ghana’s 65th Independence anniversary – The journey so far

Former Gold Coast, now Ghana is today, March 6, celebrating its 65th anniversary after attaining independence in 1957 from the British. Click here to read…

Chinese Company Removed as Operator of Cobalt Mine in Congo

A court has given the Congolese control of one of the world’s largest sources of cobalt while allegations against the mine’s Chinese owners are investigated. Click here to read…

Cameroon blast: At least five people killed, including senior official and mayor

A senior state official and a mayor were among five people killed by a road mine in a restive anglophone region of Cameroon on Wednesday, local sources said. Click here to read…

In a first, a female judge chairs a hearing in Egypt’s top court

In a first, Radwa Helmi on Saturday sat as the first female judge on the bench of Egypt’s state council. It is a top court in the Arab country. Helmi was among the 98 women who were appointed last year to join the council, after a decision by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Click here to read…

Shunned by Others, Russia Finds Friends in Africa

Africa’s largest arms dealer, Russia has ties to the continent that stretch back to the Cold War and helped Mr. Putin win rare support over the invasion of Ukraine. Click here to read…

Ivory Coast’s hope: Digital agriculture

Climate change, land degradation and deforestation have severely damaged Côte d’Ivoire’s natural surroundings. Many farmers are worried about their future. But Digitalization is bringing new hope. Click here to read…

Timber giant quietly converts Congo logging sites to carbon scheme

A major European logging firm may have illegally converted more than a dozen of its timber concessions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo into so-called conservation concessions, a new investigation can reveal. Click here to read…

History, politics and mercenaries: why so many African nations are quietly standing by Putin

President Putin’s authoritarian allies in Africa have given their quiet support to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations. Click here to read…

New Amazon Headquarters Sparks Feud Among Indigenous South Africans

The development, still under construction, sits on sacred land in Cape Town. But some Indigenous leaders have allied with the developers, prompting a debate over who speaks for First Nations people. Click here to read…

Hage Geingob: Is oil discovery off Namibia a blessing or a curse?

Namibia’s president discusses the recent discovery of an estimated one billion barrels of oil off his country’s coast. Click here to read…

WHO sees little impact on Covid-19 vaccine supplies to Africa from Ukraine war

The World Health Organization does not expect any immediate impact on vaccine supply to Africa from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

Second India-Africa defence dialogue on March 12 in Gujarat

The second India Africa defence dialogue is set to take place on March 12 on the sidelines of the DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Click here to read…

EAM Jaishankar extends greetings to Ghana on its national day

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday extended greetings to his Ghanaian counterpart Shirley Ayokor and his people on their national day. Click here to read…

Uganda to sign MoU with Naruvi Hospitals

The Ugandan government would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vellore-based Naruvi Hospitals, said Grace Akello, Uganda Ambassador to India. Click here to read…

India, South Africa, Namibia oppose talks at WTO on e-commerce, investment, MSMEs

New rules cannot be introduced without fulfilling mandate of agreement by consensus, they argue. Click here to read…

Namibia wants ivory trade clause in deal for sending cheetahs to India

Namibia wants India’s support for lifting a United Nations ban on commercial trade of wildlife products, including ivory, for translocation of cheetahs to Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, a condition New Delhi is unlikely to be able or want to meet, Indian and Namibian officials familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Click here to read…

The lip-sync siblings from Tanzania, and why PM Modi praised them

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised a brother-sister duo from Tanzanian, now social media stars, for lip-syncing to the Indian national anthem on Republic Day and paying tribute to Lata Mangeshkar. Who are Kili and Neema Paul? Click here to read…

Event Report

The African Continental Free Trade Area and Opportunities for India

On 23rd February 2022, the Vivekananda Foundation organised a lecture on “The African Continental Free Trade Area and Opportunities for India”. The Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is a critical African project to accelerate the continent’s long-term integration and economic goal.Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, March 4, 2022

Agenda of 5th session of 13th National People’s Congress: Xinhuanet
March 4, 2022

The preparatory meeting of the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) on Friday adopted the following agenda of the session. Deliberate the report on the work of the government. Review the report on the implementation of the 2021 plan and on the 2022 draft plan for national economic and social development, and the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2022Click here to read…

Chinese political advisors gather in Beijing for annual session: Xinhuanet
March 3, 2022

Members from various sectors of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have registered for the top political advisory body’s annual session scheduled to open on Friday in Beijing. Click here to read…

China’s economic recovery helps stabilize employment: Xinhuanet
March 3, 2022

China’s continued economic recovery and robust growth in new industries and business models will help stabilize employment by creating more jobs, a spokesperson for the fifth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said Thursday. Click here to read…

Chinese envoy discourages action that may escalate situation in Ukraine: Xinhuanet
March 3, 2022

A Chinese envoy on Wednesday discouraged action that may escalate the situation in Ukraine. “Blindly exerting pressure and imposing sanctions and creating division and confrontation will only further complicate the situation and result in a rapid negative spillover of the crisis, and affect even more countries,” warned Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations. Click here to read…

Chinese envoy says IAEA’s resolution on Ukraine undermines agency’s independence: Xinhuanet
March 3, 2022

The resolution on Ukraine’s nuclear security, adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), undermines the agency’s independence as a professional international organization, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna Wang Qun said Thursday. Click here to read…

China refutes Blinken’s groundless accusations concerning Xinjiang: Xinhuanet
March 2, 2022

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday refuted U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s groundless accusations concerning Xinjiang, noting that all rumors will crumble before the facts. Blinken reportedly said in a video message on Tuesday that China “continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.” Click here to read…

China to raise prices of gasoline, diesel: Xinhuanet
March 3, 2022

China will raise the retail prices of gasoline and diesel from Friday, the country’s top economic planner said on Thursday. The price of gasoline will increase by 260 yuan (about 41.26 U.S. dollars) per tonne, and the price of diesel will increase by 255 yuan, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. Click here to read…

China’s AG600 large amphibious aircraft gets financial-leasing support: Xinhuanet
March 4, 2022

The development of China’s AG600 large amphibious aircraft has gained support from the financial-leasing sector, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) announced Thursday. China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of AVIC, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Everbright Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. on Thursday to jointly boost research and development of the AG600 and its future operation, said AVIC. Click here to read…

China to further optimize government services: Quishi
March 3, 2022

China is looking to further optimize its government services, standardizing and normalizing these services and making them more convenient, according to a guideline released by the State Council. Click here to read…

Promoting the Healthy Development of the Digital Economy in China: Quishi
March 3, 2022

At the 34th group study session of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on October 18, 2021, President Xi Jinping stressed that we should give full rein to China’s vast data troves and rich range of fields of application in order to firmly embed digital technology in the real economy, enable the upgrading and transformation of traditional industry, foster new industries, new business forms and models, and build up the strength, quality and size of China’s digital economy. He explained that this should be done while keeping in mind the larger strategic picture of national rejuvenation and the once-in-a-century changes occurring in the world and giving full consideration to our domestic and international imperatives and our development and security needs. Click here to read…

The Communist Party of China and the Country’s Fundamental System: Quishi
March 3, 2022

The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Over its century-long history, the CPC has always upheld people’s democracy and has experimented with, established, developed, and refined a new kind of political system in which the people run the country. Click here to read…

West-backed anti-China organization exploits Ukraine crisis to further antagonistic agenda and division: Global Times
March 3, 2022

While the world is under threat of being ripped further apart amid the ongoing Ukraine crisis, some political forces, as opposed to fixing the division, are taking advantage of the turbulence to smear China by peddling false information. Click here to read…

Ukraine crisis threatens China’s discreet pipeline in military technology: Reuters
March 3, 2022

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is likely to threaten one of China’s most discreet but important strategic relationships in recent years: its use of Ukraine as a source of technology for the expanding Chinese military. Click here to read…

New Development Bank says it has put new transactions in Russia on hold: Reuters
March 4, 2022

The New Development Bank (NDB) established by the BRICS group of emerging nations said it has put new transactions in Russia on hold. Click here to read…

Internet platforms Tencent, Meituan and Ele.me cut commission fees for SMEs: Global Times
March 3, 2022

A number of Chinese internet platform companies including Tencent, Meituan and Ele.me have announced measures in recent days to reduce commissions for small and medium-sized merchants, as part of an effort to aid embattled small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) amid new waves of the pandemic. Click here to read…

China asked Russia to delay attack: Taipei Times
March 4, 2022

Senior Chinese officials early last month told senior Russian officials not to invade Ukraine before the end of the Winter Olympics, the New York Times reported, quoting White House officials and a European official who cited a Western intelligence report. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, February 28, 2022

China appoints new minister of civil affairs: Xinhuanet
February 26, 2022

Tang Dengjie was appointed minister of civil affairs by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, on Monday. Click here to read…

Xi stresses firm adherence to China’s path of human rights development: Xinhuanet
February 26, 2022

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed unswerving adherence to China’s path of human rights development. Xi made the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Friday. Click here to read…

CPC leadership meets to discuss draft gov’t work report: Xinhuanet
February 25, 2022

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee met on Friday to discuss the draft government work report, which will be submitted by the State Council to the upcoming annual session of the national legislature for deliberation. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. Click here to read…

Chinese FM elaborates on China’s basic position on Ukraine issue: Xinhuanet
February 26, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday elaborated on China’s basic position on the Ukraine issue. Wang also had an in-depth exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine during his phone talks with British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell as well as Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, respectively. Click here to read…

Chinese FM holds phone talks with EU’s top diplomat: Xinhuanet
February 26, 2022

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday held a telephone conversation with Josep Borrell, the European Union (EU)’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. Click here to read…

China’s lithium-ion battery output surges in 2021: Xinhuanet
February 27, 2022

China’s lithium-ion batteries reported solid growth last year amid nationwide endeavors to peak carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, official data shows. The output of lithium-ion batteries reached 324 GWh in 2021, soaring 106 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Click here to read…

Chinese mainland’s sci-tech cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao makes advances: Xinhuanet
February 25, 2022

Efforts to promote the integration of science and technology innovation in Hong Kong and Macao into the national innovation system have made advances, an official with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) said Friday. Click here to read…

Former senior municipal legislator under probe: Xinhuanet
February 25, 2022

Chen Jiadong, a former senior legislator in the city of Xiamen in east China’s Fujian Province, is under probe for suspected severe violations of discipline and law. Click here to read…

China’s robotics industry catches up, eyes on higher development: Quishi
February 28, 2022

According to statistics released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the country’s robot industry reported revenue of over 100 billion yuan (about $15.7 billion) for the first time in 2020. From 2015 to 2020, the output of industrial robots surged from 72,000 sets to 212,000 sets, with an average annual growth of 31 percent. Click here to read…

CPC leadership meets to discuss draft gov’t work report: Quishi
February 28, 2022

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee met on Friday to discuss the draft government work report, which will be submitted by the State Council to the upcoming annual session of the national legislature for deliberation. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. Click here to read…

Chinese lawmakers deliberate draft decision on ranks for active-duty soldiers: China Military
February 27, 2022

Chinese lawmakers on Sunday began discussing a draft decision on the ranks for active-duty soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army. The draft was submitted to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, for review. Click here to read…

SPP pledges to deepen supervisor system: China Daily
February 26, 2022

The Supreme People’s Procuratorate pledged to deepen the work of the people’s supervisor system and public hearings to promote democracy in the judicial sector. The people’s supervisor system-an external mechanism to oversee the case-handling activities of procuratorates-guarantees orderly public participation in judicial activities and the practicing of democracy, Li Xuehui, spokesman of the top procuratorate, said at a news conference on Thursday. Click here to read…

Stabilizing economy to be major government task: China Daily
February 26, 2022

A Party leadership meeting has underlined the priority of stabilizing the country’s economy for this year’s government work, urging stronger measures to implement macroeconomic-control policies. The meeting on Friday of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, chaired by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, also emphasized the need to prevent and mitigate financial risks and ensure financial stability. Click here to read…

Third pension system to help aging population: China Daily
February 25, 2022

Pensions are projected to rise this year, as the government explores a flexible policy to push back the retirement age and establish an additional pension system. The moves are designed to cope with the increasing percentage of seniors in the population. Click here to read…

Russia-Ukraine jokes hit social media wall: China Daily
February 28, 2022

Chinese social media platforms are moving to crack down on inappropriate remarks in regard to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, such as denigrating jokes made by some netizens. Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, along with Douyin, a short-video platform known as TikTok overseas, and the WeChat social media app all reiterated management rules over the weekend, calling for objective and serious discussions on such a weighty topic. Click here to read…

COVID outbreaks affect more regions on Chinese mainland: China Daily
February 28, 2022

The novel coronavirus is spreading in multiple regions on the Chinese mainland, with the coastal province of Guangdong facing a complicated situation, the National Health Commission said over the weekend. The Chinese mainland registered 112 locally transmitted confirmed infections on Saturday, up from 93 on Friday, the commission said. Click here to read…

Chinese embassy in Ukraine mulls alternative plans apart from charter flights to evacuate Chinese nationals amid rising tensions: Global Times
February 27, 2022

The Chinese Embassy in Ukraine is mulling alternative plans to evacuate local Chinese apart from charter flights amid the deteriorating situation in the country, and as long as safety premises are met, they will immediately take action and launch the evacuation plan, the embassy told Global Times in an exclusive interview on Sunday. Click here to read…

PLA airborne troops take delivery of new Y-12 transport aircraft with better power, handle ability: Global Times
February 27, 2022

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) airborne troops recently took delivery of new Y-12 transport aircraft that boasts significantly enhanced power, avionics and handle ability, with experts saying on Sunday that the aircraft is expected to host training missions for paratroopers and potentially carry out special forces tasks. Click here to read…

Russia-Ukraine conflict starts to affect China-Europe trade: Global Times
February 27, 2022

Chinese traders and logistics service providers have been ramping up efforts to cope with the rapidly evolving situation in Europe, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict raised concerns over potential impact on certain aspects of the China-Europe freight train and shipping routes by sea and air. While the actual impact remains unclear given the fast changing developments, some Chinese and international traders have canceled or diverted certain trading channels and routes to fend off possible disruptions, the Global Times has learned. Click here to read…

Disinformation on China in full bloom in US: People’s Daily
February 25, 2022

As if the supply of anti-China disinformation has exceeded the demand in the US, the American government decided to blow federal money to export it. On February 4, the US House of Representatives greenlighted the America COMPETES Act, in which a sum of 500 million dollars was allotted to “produce journalism for overseas audiences that is critical of China,” according to American Prospect, a US-based magazine. Click here to read…

China not coming to Russia’s aid, US official says: Taipei Times
February 28, 2022

China so far does not appear to be helping Russia evade Western financial sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, but doing so would “do profound damage” to China’s reputation, a senior official from the administration of US President Joe Biden said on Saturday. Click here to read…

China willing to work with U.S. on Build Back Better World initiative: Reuters
February 28, 2022

China is willing to work with the United States on a G7-led global infrastructure plan and welcomes Washington to join its Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday. The Group of Seven (G7) richest democracies, consisting of United States and its allies, proposed the Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative in June to help developing countries meet infrastructure needs, as they sought to counter China’s growing influence. Click here to read…

Backlash in China over vulgar social media mocking of Ukraine conflict: South China Morning Post
February 28, 2022

Chinese authorities have called for caution over online comments about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amid concerns that public internet sentiment stoked anger towards citizens abroad. The conflict is hotly debated on Chinese social media, with some internet users sympathetic towards the plight of Ukrainians and others mocking the conflict and cheering on Russia’s aggression. A number of users appeared to endorse sexual violence against fleeing Ukrainian women, saying they would “gladly take care of them”, prompting widespread criticism of their behaviour. Click here to read…

Why is China being blamed for the stalled G20 debt relief plan for distressed countries? : South China Morning Post
February 27, 2022

More than a year has passed since the G20 launched a debt restructure plan to help potential defaulters but developing countries have yet to see the benefits – something the US and multilateral groups are blaming on China. The Group of 20 wealthy nations set up the Common Framework in late 2020 to help 70 countries in danger of default. Click here to read…

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 7, 2022)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

Africa has had eight coup attempts in recent months. What’s behind the ‘coup epidemic’?

Last week, soldiers in Guinea Bissau surrounded the government palace, attacking President Umaro Sissoco Embaló during a cabinet meeting. Although the coup attempts ultimately failed, the firefight resulted in numerous fatalities. Only a week earlier, widespread mutinies in Burkina Faso prompted army officers to depose another competitively elected African president. Click here to read…

NEWS

African Union postpones debate on Israel’s observer status

The African Union (AU) has suspended a debate on whether to withdraw Israel’s accreditation as an observer to the bloc, avoiding a vote that risked creating an unprecedented rift in the 55-member body. Click here to read…

African Union to Establish Permanent Mission in Beijing

Following a heads of state meeting in Addis Ababa, the African Union has announced it will open a permanent mission in Beijing this year. The proposal had been set forth by the Council of Ministers in an effort to engage more directly with Africa’s largest trading partner and diplomatic-ally. Click here to read…

Guinea-Bissau arrests ex-navy chief linked to drug trade over failed coup

Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo on Thursday accused a former Guinean navy chief with links to the drug trade and two accomplices of being behind a failed coup in the west African nation on February 1. Click here to read…

UN Security Council calls for release of Burkina Faso President

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has expressed grave concern about Burkina Faso’s “unconstitutional change of government,” and has called for President Roch Marc Christian Kabore and other government leaders to be released and protected. Click here to read…

Sudan’s military rulers step up crackdown, arrest activists

Amira Osman, a Sudanese women’s rights activist, was getting ready for bed a few minutes before midnight when about 30 policemen forced their way into her home in Khartoum last month. Click here to read…

Guinea transitional assembly holds first post-coup session

Guinea’s transitional assembly has held its first session, five months after the military overthrow of democratically elected President Alpha Conde. Click here to read…

Diplomatic flurry as crunch time on Western military role in Mali nears

Western foreign ministers will hold crunch talks on their countries’ future presence fighting Islamist militants in Mali on Monday, four European sources said, with three saying regional and international leaders will also meet on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Libyan parliament elects new PM to replace interim government

The Libyan House of Representatives, on Thursday unanimously voted for Fathi Bashagha as the country’s new prime minister. Click here to read…

Libyan PM survives assassination attempt as car shot: Sources

Assailants struck Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah’s car with bullets early on Thursday but he escaped unharmed, a source close to him said, amid intense factional wrangling over control of the government. Mauritius Presses Claim for Indian Ocean Islands Under ‘Unlawful’ UK Administration

A delegation from Mauritius is set to sail Tuesday to the Chagos Islands to press the country’s claim for the strategically important Indian Ocean archipelago, which is also claimed by Britain and is home to an American military base. Click here to read…

Taiwan to host Somaliland ministers in Africa diplomacy push

Taiwan will host a high-level delegation from Somalia’s breakaway Somaliland region this week, the government said on Monday, as the island pursues diplomacy in Africa in the face of Chinese pressure to limit its international footprint. Click here to read…

Several killed in attack targeting Somalia election delegates

A suicide bomber targeting a minibus full of delegates involved in Somalia’s parliamentary elections killed at least six people in Mogadishu, the ambulance service said, as the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab armed group claimed responsibility for the attack. Click here to read…

Central Africa PM fired amid tensions over Russia-France tug of war

The Central African Republic’s prime minister has been sacked, the presidency confirmed Monday, against the backdrop of tensions between pro-Russian and pro-French factions within the government of the poor, unstable country.Click here to read…

US aims to thwart China’s plan for Atlantic base in Africa

The Biden administration is intensifying its campaign to persuade Equatorial Guinea to reject China’s bid to build a military base on the country’s Atlantic Coast. Click here to read…

AfCFTA Adjustment Fund agreement signed in Cairo

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), signed the $10bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund on Wednesday in Cairo. Click here to read…

EU unveils €1.6 billion investment in Morocco

It is the first African scheme in the EU’s €300 billion “Global Gateway” infrastructure plan, the bloc’s response to China’s Belt and Road strategy.
https://www.dw.com/en/eu-unveils-16-billion-investment-in-morocco/a-60710607″ target=”_blank”>Click here to read…

French president voices support for Egypt’s regional development and anti-terror efforts

French President Emmanuel Macron said that his country remains committed to the continued enhancement of joint cooperation with Egypt in a number of fields, and to supporting Cairo’s efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development, and combat terrorism and extremist ideology in its region. Click here to read…

Tanzania: Victory for media freedom as ban on four newspapers lifted

The lifting of ban on four newspapers that had been barred from publishing since 2016 and 2017 for exposing alleged corruption and human rights violations is a positive step, but the Tanzanian authorities must do more to guarantee media freedom going forward, Amnesty International said today. Click here to read…

Ethiopia’s telco battle will take place in the mobile money arena

Safaricom opened an office in Ethiopia last month, as Kenya’s largest mobile operator aims to take on one of Africa’s most sought-after telecoms markets. Click here to read…

‘Fragile Five’ Indebted Africa Nations Flagged by Top Lender

Five key African economies will face debt risks over the next two years, according to the continent’s biggest bank, as an era of extraordinary pandemic-induced stimulus and relief for poor nations draws to an end. Click here to read…

UN’s top court orders Uganda to pay $325 million to DR Congo

Delivering its judgement, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) broke down the compensation, awarding the DRC $225 million for damage to persons, which includes loss of life, rape, recruitment of child soldiers and displacement of civilians. Click here to read…

E-levy Ghana: Ghanaians hit streets of Accra to protest against electronic transactions tax way government want to introduce

Protestors for Ghana hit the streets of Accra to register their displeasure with the new electronic transactions tax way government want to introduce. Click here to read…

Deaths Rise To 92 In Madagascar Cyclone, 112,000 In Need of Assistance

The death toll from Tropical Cyclone Batsirai has risen to 92 in Madagascar, authorities said Wednesday, as humanitarian organisations ramped up aid efforts with more than 110,000 people in need of emergency assistance. Click here to read…

Zimbabwe teachers go on strike days after schools’ resume classes

A teachers’ strike has paralyzed learning at many Zimbabwean schools, which opened this week after a prolonged closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read…

Demand for traditional Chinese medicine in Africa sparks fears for endangered species

Amid the rise in demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products in African countries has sparked fear for poaching of endangered species. Click here to read…

Nigeria Islamic police destroy nearly 4 mn beers

Religious police in northern Nigeria’s city of Kano have destroyed nearly four milllion bottles of beer, on grounds that sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the predominantly Muslim region. Click here to read…

‘White Malice’: How the CIA Strangled African Independence at Birth

In her latest book, historian Susan Williams ruthlessly reveals through factual evidence the unsavoury machinations of the CIA in Africa during the Cold War until the late 1960s. Click here to read…

Explained: Why Africa embraces Huawei tech despite security concerns

Huawei is popular across Africa, but its systems could also appeal to authoritarian regimes hoping to cling to power. Click here to read…

Should Bangladesh Lease Land from South Sudan?

For a long period of time, Bangladesh has been striving to ensure food security at home by planning to shop farmland abroad. Recently, South Sudan, an African country, has expressed interest in leasing a vast area of its fallow land to Bangladesh in order to collaborate in agricultural production, processing, and marketing in the central African countries. Click here to read…

U.S. reaches out to foreign producers in Algeria on gas options -sources

The U.S. government has asked to meet Eni, Total Energies (TTEF.PA) and other energy companies operating in Algeria to see if more gas can be sourced from the country, sources familiar with the matter said. Click here to read…

WHO Chief visits South Africa’s mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus today visited the groundbreaking mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub in Cape Town and also met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss progress in making Africa self-sufficient in the production of COVID-19 vaccines and related treatments. Click here to read…

China’s StarTimes injects 1.76 mln USD to boost local content in Kenya

Chinese pay television firm, StarTimes on Thursday announced injection of an additional 200 million shillings (about 1.76 million U.S. dollars) to boost development of indigenous content in Kenya. Click here to read…

Zambia on course to launch satellite in 2023

Zambia on Friday said it is on course to launch a satellite in 2023. According to a statement by Science and Technology Minister Felix Mutati, moving to digital technology will enhance digital economic activities and help the government plan ahead in meeting challenges such as climate change, flooding, and health issues. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

Indian envoys hold virtual meeting with Comoros FM to review progress in bilateral ties

Indian envoy to Moroni Abhay Kumar held a virtual meeting with Comoros Foreign Minister Dhoihir Dhoulkamal and reviewed the progress made in bilateral ties between the two countries. … Recently INS Kesari visited Comoros in January 2022 to help repair a Comorian shipClick here to read…

Liaison officer from Mauritius posted at Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre

A liaison officer from Mauritius was on Thursday posted at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC) which has emerged as a key hub in tracking developments in the Indian Ocean. Click here to read…

Tanzania set to export avocado to India

Tanzania is set to begin exporting avocado to India, as the country seeks to strengthen bilateral trade ties and enable farmers to get higher returns for their produce. Click here to read…

Here is Why this Former PM of Kenya is Grateful to an Ayurvedic Hospital in Kerala

Former Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinka, who was in Kerala recently, thanked Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Kerala for restoring his daughter’s eyesight. She had become blind after a stroke in 2017 and had spent two years in total darkness. Click here to read…

Ramaphosa’s hope of making S Africa major cell phone producer dashes as factory owned by Indian-origin entrepreneur shuts

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s hopes of the country becoming a major producer of mobile phones or Africa have been dashed with the closure of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility owned by a Rwanda-based Indian-origin entrepreneur. Click here to read…

Mozambique: Harare, Maputo Deepen Economic Ties

Zimbabwe and the rest of SADC countries are set to benefit from infrastructural development being undertaken by Mozambique, with President Mnangagwa and President Felipe Nyusi committing to facilitate the emancipation of their people through economic development. Click here to read…Stranded in Mali: Relieved, say workers on their return to Jharkhand

Weeks after their distress calls, the first batch of seven Indian workers out of the 33 who were stranded in Mali without their earnings and their passports returned to the country on Saturday. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, February 10, 2022

Former Supreme court official arrested for taking bribes: Xinhuanet
February 10, 2022

Meng Xiang, former chief of the enforcement bureau of the Supreme People’s Court, has been arrested on suspicion of taking bribes, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) said Thursday. The National Supervisory Commission has completed the investigation into his case and handed it over to prosecuting agencies, the SPP added. Click here to read…

China’s former banking regulatory official arrested for suspected bribery, power abuse: Xinhuanet

February 10, 2022

Cai Esheng, former vice chairman of the now defunct China Banking Regulatory Commission, was arrested on suspicion of bribery and abuse of power, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) said Thursday. Click here to read…

China rebukes U.S. for cobbling together cliques by drawing ideological line: Xinhuanet
February 10, 2022

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday said that the United States forces other countries to accept its democratic standards and cobbles together cliques by drawing the ideological line, which is sheer betrayal to democracy. According to reports, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is going to attend the fourth ministerial-level meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) foreign ministers in Australia. At a press briefing via teleconference, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink said that part of that discussion will relate to the challenges that China poses to democratic values and the international order. Click here to read…

Military issues new set of rules for honor system: China Military
February 10, 2022

China overhauled its military honor system recently by issuing a set of rules. The Regulation on the Armed Forces’ Honor System sets three major categories of honor-one for service members’ exploits during wartime, another for their work during peacetime and the third for efforts during massive noncombat operations-and also establishes special honors for commanding officers. Click here to read…

China’s shipbuilding industry keeps global lead in 2021: People’s Daily

February 10, 2022

China’s shipbuilding industry continued to take the lead globally last year, with three major indicators in the sector – completion volume of ships, new shipbuilding orders and holding order volumes – all in leading positions worldwide. The country’s completion volume of ships rose by 3 percent year on year to 39.7 million deadweight tons (dwt) in 2021, data from the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) showed. The 2021 shipbuilding output accounted for 47.2 percent of the world’s total, 4.1 percentage points higher than that in 2020. Click here to read…

BBC’s China-Nepal border dispute hype a ‘smear campaign’: Global Times
February 10, 2022

The BBC recently hyped the baseless claim of China encroaching on Nepal’s territory, which has been repeatedly denied by both countries, with observers saying the BBC’s report is part of a smear campaign against China amid applause for the Beijing Winter Olympics. Click here to read…

Regular appearances of improved J-11B fighter indicate massive upgrade program: analysts: Global Times
February 10, 2022

The upgraded version of China’s J-11B fighter jet, characterized by its white radar dome compared with the original version’s black one, has featured in several recent official reports, with analysts saying that this could be an indication that more original J-11Bs will be upgraded to the latest variant in the near future. Click here to read…

China and Russia accelerate energy cooperation with Eastern Gas Pipeline in full swing: Global Times
February 10, 2022

The underwater shield crossing project that passes through the Yangtze River of China-Russia Eastern Gas Pipeline is in full swing, which is the key project of the southern section of the China-Russia Eastern Gas Pipeline, with a total length of 10.226 kilometers, the longest tunnel under construction across the Yangtze River. Click here to read…

China revises draft rules on data security for business sectors: Reuters
February 10, 2022

China’s industry ministry published revisions to draft rules on Thursday dictating how companies and localities should manage data, bringing more specificity to the country’s evolving data governance regime. Click here to read…

China hopes U.S. will remove tariffs, end sanctions to create conditions for trade: Reuters
February 10, 2022

China hopes the United States will remove additional tariffs on Chinese goods and end its sanctions and crackdowns as soon as possible to create conditions for trade cooperation, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday. Gao Feng, ministry spokesman, made the comments at a regular briefing. Click here to read…

China’s digital yuan not a backup amid a financial crisis, and there’s ‘no incentive’ to move money: South China Morning Post
February 10, 2022

China will not be pressured into raising the limit on the amount of money that can be held within its central bank digital currency even in the face of a financial crisis, according to the head of its e-CNY department within the central bank. Use of the yet-to-be launched digital yuan is currently limited to 11 cities plus inside venues used for the ongoing Winter Olympics as part of a pilot programme, which will soon also include Hong Kong. Click here to read…

Race to 6G: Chinese researchers declare data streaming record with whirling radio waves: South China Morning Post
February 10, 2022

Chinese researchers say they have achieved a record data streaming speed using a revolutionary technology that could help China take the lead in the global race for next-gen wireless communication, or 6G. Using vortex millimetre waves, a form of extremely high-frequency radio wave with rapidly changing spins, the researchers transmitted 1 terabyte of data over 1km (3,300 feet) in a second. Click here to read…

China resumes R&D push with record US$441b outlay in 2021: South China Morning Post
February 9, 2022

China spent a record 2.79 trillion yuan (US$441.3 billion) on research and development last year, an increase of more than 14 per cent over 2020 – when nationwide lockdowns to contain the coronavirus pandemic saw the country post its lowest GDP growth in decades. The R&D spending growth rate in 2021 was more than 40 per cent higher than in the previous year, China’s National Bureau of Statistics said in releasing the data. Click here to read…

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 6, 2022)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

Eight Priorities for the African Union in 2022

The African Union’s twentieth anniversary in the coming year gives it a chance to assess its achievements as well as reinvigorate its work to safeguard peace and security on the continent. This briefing points to eight conflict situations needing the organisation’s urgent attention. Click here to read…

NEWS

Burkina Faso restores constitution, names coup leader president

Burkina Faso’s military government said it has restored the constitution a week after taking power and has appointed the coup’s leader as head of state for a transitional period. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso junta lifts nationwide curfew in force since coup

Burkina Faso’s junta lifted Wednesday a nationwide curfew they imposed after seizing power in a coup last month, the military announced. Click here to read…

Guinea Bissau president survives W. Africa’s latest coup attempt

Cheering crowds welcomed Guinea Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s election victory in 2020, but his opponent’s alleged fraud. Click here to read…

French ambassador expelled from Mali

Mali’s military leaders are expelling the French ambassador over what they called “outrageous” comments made by the French foreign minister about the transitional government. Click here to read…

Germany mulls end of military mission in Mali

German troops have been stationed in Mali for nearly nine years. But the Bundeswehr’s mission might soon be over. Critics in Berlin are questioning its purpose. And Mali itself is looking out for new allies. Click here to read…

Guinea-Bissau’s failed coup attempt may have been linked to drug trafficking

In a Facebook post on Feb. 1, Umaro El Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo, president of Guinea-Bissau, reassured citizens that their country was calm and that his government had not been overthrown by an armed groupClick here to read…

Guterres asks for immediate cessation of hostilities in Ethiopia

The United Nations’ Secretary-General on Tuesday made the “strongest possible appeal” for all parties in Ethiopia to immediately end the fighting in Tigray and other areas, in the spirit of the General Assembly’s Olympic Truce which began just a few days ago. Click here to read…

Sudanese security forces fire tear gas as protesters defy ban

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters have marched in Sudan’s capital and other cities, the latest demonstration to denounce military rule since the army seized power in October 2021Click here to read…

Somalia election on track, official says

Organisers of Somalia’s much-delayed elections say the polls have picked up the “right pace”, assuring citizens that they will meet the February 25 deadline to conclude voting. Click here to read…

US launches third military training project in Mozambique

The US government has launched a third Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) programme with Mozambique, to enhance the military’s readiness to contain rising insecurity.Click here to read…

DR Congo: At least 50 dead following militia attack on camp

According to the UN Mission in the country (MONUSCO), the attack was carried out by members of the so-called Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) – a loose association of various Lendu militia groups.Click here to read…

South Africa’s Afrigen makes mRNA Covid vaccine using Moderna data

South Africa’s Afrigen Biologics has used the publicly available sequence of Moderna Inc’s mRNA Covid-19 vaccine to make its own version of the shot, which could be tested in humans before the end of this year, Afrigen’s top executive said on Thursday. Click here to read…

Mix of differences, challenges delays Arab summit until further notice

The Arab summit to be held in Algeria is facing many obstacles that could lead to its cancellation. This comes in the light of the mounting differences between the host country on the one hand and the Arab League on the other. Click here to read…

Kenya to Inject $176 Million Into Struggling National Airline

Kenya plans to inject 20 billion shillings ($176 million) of capital into the country’s cash-strapped national airline, which is battling to survive after years of losses and a mounting debt pile. Click here to read…

Tunisia elected to African Union’s Peace and Security Council

Tunisia has been elected to the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council for the term 2022-2024. Click here to read…

Wrangle over interim Libyan government intensifies

The speaker of Libya’s eastern-based parliament said on Monday the chamber would choose a new interim prime minister next week, but the current incumbent rejected the move. Click here to read…

Kenyan, Rwandan leaders discuss trade and security issues

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday hosted his Rwandese counterpart Paul Kagame for talks in Nairobi, focusing on a wide range of areas of cooperation. Click here to read…

African Experts Argue Prospects for China’s New $300 Billion Agreement

A Chinese official in Nigeria says Beijing plans to invest over $300 billion in Africa to increase African exports and help close the large trade gap with China. China’s plans for more investment in Africa have been welcomed by some, but critics worry about Africa’s growing debt with Beijing. Click here to read…

Private military contractors bolster Russian influence in Africa

Russia’s geopolitical ambitions in Africa have in recent years been backed by private military contractors, often described as belonging to the “Wagner group” — an entity with no known legal status. Click here to read…

Russian diplomat, African Union official discuss preparations for Russia-Africa Summit

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the meeting was held on the sidelines of the 35th session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. Click here to read…

Egypt inks $1.6 billion deal for South Korean howitzers

South Korea on Tuesday said it signed a $1.6 billion deal to sell arms to Egypt a week after US President Joe Biden’s administration approved another massive arms sale to the Middle Eastern nation. Click here to read…

Explosion at Nigerian oil vessel sparks fears of major spill

A vessel with a storage capacity of two million barrels of oil has exploded off the coast of southern Nigeria’s Delta state, raising fears of an environmental disaster and concerns about the fate of its crew. Click here to read…

South Africa’s 10-yearly population census kicks off

South Africa on Wednesday launched its once-in-a-decade population census to collect data that will help the government’s policy formulation and planning, the statistics agency has said. Click here to read…

Shell Is Betting Big on Namibia’s Oil Boom

While all recent oil exploration attention has been on Exxon’s massive string of discoveries in Guyana, another giant player and a junior explorer are shifting to focus toward what may be the next up-and-coming oil hotspot It’s Namibia–a country that’s never produced a barrel of oil. Click here to read…

Zambia aims for IMF debt deal in May – FinMin

Zambia expects an International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt health check to be finalised this month, to strike a restructuring deal with creditors by April and get a formal agreement with the fund signed off in May, its finance minister said. Click here to read…

Russian paramilitary ‘saviours’ star in films on Africa conflicts

Paramilitary fighters from the Russia-linked Wagner group star in a new film singing their praises for interventions against rebels in the Central African Republic and elsewhere on the continent. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

Raila starts week-long trip to India, Ethiopia

ODM leader Raila Odinga has left the country for a week-long trip to Ethiopia and India. Click here to read…

Belagavi firm to build 6,000 houses in Rwanda

The Department of MBA at KLS Gogte Institute of Technology organised an online international conference on Indo African Businesses-Strategic Perspective in Belagavi recently. Click here to read…

Kebbi sponsors 117 indigenes to study in India

Kebbi State has awarded no fewer than 117 indigenes scholarship to study Medicine, Engineering and related courses in India. Click here to read…

‘India-Africa Relations: Changing Horizons’ review: An eye-opener on Africa

With China taking a lead, India should deepen its political commitment in the continent, set aside sizeable financial resources, and increase the capability of project execution, says a new bookClick here to read…

Zambia, India ties vintage

INDIA’S Republic Day, January 26, is a gazetted holiday celebrated throughout the world. It is a day to remember when India’s constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, completing the country’s transition toward becoming an independent state. Click here to read…

Mahindra sets record for monthly vehicle sales in South Africa

Mahindra South Africa has set a new record for monthly sales since it first started selling its range of automotive vehicles in the country 18 years ago. Click here to read…

Made-in-India Nissan Magnite exports expanded to 15 nations

The made-in-India Magnite is now sold in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Uganda, Kenya, Seychelles, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius, Tanzania and Malawi. In the second half of 2020, Nissan managed to ship out a total of 6,344 units of the Magnite. Click here to read…

Airtel Africa Q3 results: Net profit up 54% to $180 mn

Telecom operator Airtel Africa reported a 54.4 per cent increase in profit after tax (PAT) to $180 million for the December 2021 quarter. The company had posted a PAT of $116 million in the same period a year ago. Click here to read…

MONDIACULT 2022 | Africa Regional Consultation January 31 – February 1, 2022

The Regional Consultation on Cultural Policies for the African region will be held on January 31 and February 1, 2022. For two days, 47 Ministers of Culture are invited to meet online, with international and non-governmental organizations, with all the key actors of the Arts and Culture sector to discuss and present the voice of the continent on the issues of culture and development. Click here to read…

China: Daily Scan, February 07, 2022

Senior CPC official meets with former KMT chairperson: Xinhuanet
February 5, 2022

Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Wang Yang Saturday met with Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, in Beijing after Hung attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Click here to read…

China, Russia reaffirm support on core interest, oppose interference in internal affairs: Xinhuanet
February 5, 2022

China and Russia reaffirmed strong support for each other’s core interest, state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and voiced opposition to external interference in their domestic affairs, according to a joint statement issued Friday after a meeting between the two countries’ presidents. Click here to read…

Xi says China ready to accelerate FTA negotiation with GCC: Xinhuanet
February 5, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday said China stands ready to work with countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to accelerate the free trade agreement negotiations. Xi said this will inject fresh vitality to the two sides as well as the world economy. Click here to read…

China’s commerce ministry criticizes U.S. solar tariff extension: Xinhuanet
February 5, 2022

China’s commerce ministry on Saturday criticized a recent extension of U.S. tariffs on imported solar products, calling the move unhelpful to the photovoltaic industry and disruptive to the global trade order. The U.S. government announced Friday that the levies due to expire Sunday would remain effective for another four years as advised by the U.S. International Trade Commission. Click here to read…

Xi calls for building closer China-Pakistan community with shared future: Xinhuanet
February 6, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing on Sunday, saying that China is willing to work with Pakistan to accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, bring benefits to the people of the two countries, provide impetus for regional cooperation and contribute to world peace. Click here to read…

Full text: Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan: Xinhuanet
February 7, 2022

The following is the full text of a joint statement released by China and Pakistan on Sunday. Joint Statement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of PakistanClick here to read…

Chinese scientists discover promising green refrigeration technology: Xinhuanet
February 5, 2022

Chinese scientists have discovered a promising green refrigeration technology that may replace traditional refrigerants represented by freon, a greenhouse gas that leads to severe climate problems. The research team led by Tong Peng at the Institute of Solid State Physics at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found excellent cooling performance in n-alkanes through solid-liquid state transition driven by high pressure. The discovery provides a new perspective for developing eco-friendly refrigeration technology. Click here to read…

Xi extends congratulations to 35th African Union Summit: China Military
February 6, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday warmly congratulated the African countries and people on the opening of the 35th African Union (AU) Summit. In his congratulatory message to the AU Summit, Xi pointed out that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the AU’s founding, and that over the past 20 years, the AU has stayed committed to seeking strength through unity, actively explored a development path suited to Africa, facilitated important progress in regional integration and coordinated a concerted response from African countries to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read…

Ambassador Zhang Jun: the US should not go further down the wrong path: China Military
February 7, 2022

On February 6, Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the Untied Nations, released a press statement to resolutely refute the unfounded accusations against China made by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN, in her interview with CNN. Ambassador Zhang said that the US has again made accusations against China and wrongful, irresponsible remarks on issues like the Beijing Winter Olympics, Xinjiang and Taiwan. Such groundless, politically-biased words have seriously poisoned the China-US relations. Facing such a smear campaign, China has no choice but to push back and clarify our position and reject the unfounded accusations by the US. Click here to read…

China starts busy diplomacy season with over 30 foreign dignitaries in Beijing for Olympics: Global Times
February 4, 2022

The tarmac of the Beijing Capital International Airport is seeing its busiest time in the last two days with more than 30 foreign dignitaries arriving in Beijing for the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, as China kicked off a busy and crucial round of diplomatic activities to improve relations, promote multilateralism and call for global unity in dealing with global and regional challenges. Click here to read…

China reveals concept art for armed, aerial refueling-capable variant of Z-20 chopper: Global Times
February 6, 2022

An armed, aerial refueling-capable variant of China’s Z-20 medium-lift utility helicopter is believed to be currently under development after the aircraft’s maker recently revealed concept art for such a chopper, observers said on Sunday. The state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the maker of most aircraft used by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), released a promotional video titled “In the blue sky” on January 31 on social media platforms, in which the company rounded up the achievements it made in 2021. Click here to read…

China to see moderate CPI growth in 2022 despite global inflationary pressure, says NDRC: Global Times
February 6, 2022

China’s consumer price index (CPI), the main gauge of inflation, is expected to maintain moderate expansion in 2022 and the growth of the producer price index (PPI), or factory-gate prices, will gradually fall, according to an article published by China’s top economic planner on Sunday. Click here to read…

Premier meets with series of world leaders: China Daily
February 7, 2022

Premier Li Keqiang has met with a series of foreign guests who were visiting China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, pledging to strengthen ties with the countries and international organizations they represent. In a meeting with Zoran Tegeltija, chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Saturday, Li said China will import more high-quality specialty agricultural products from the European country, promote the implementation of energy and infrastructure cooperation projects, and continue to step up antipandemic cooperation. Click here to read…

Chinese scientists develop AI-assisted tool to detect early-stage lung cancer: China Daily
February 4, 2022

Chinese scientists have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted testing tool to detect early-stage lung cancer. The study published on Thursday in the journal Science Translational Medicine described the Lung Cancer Artificial Intelligence Detector that may play a part in the early detection of lung cancer or large-scale screening of high-risk cancer populations. Click here to read…

Athlete hailed by Uyghur advocates for ‘East Turkestan’ flag: Reuters
February 6, 2022

A ski jumper at the Winter Olympics was hailed by advocates for Uyghurs on Sunday after displaying what they said was the flag of the independence movement of East Turkestan, a group Beijing says threatens the stability of its Xinjiang region. Turkey’s Fatih Arda Ipcioglu on Saturday competed in light blue-coloured skis with a white crescent and white star on them. His native Turkish flag is almost identical, but features a red background. Click here to read…

U.S. calls for ‘concrete action’ from China to meet Phase 1 purchase commitments: Reuters
February 7, 2022

U.S. officials called on Monday for “concrete action” from China to make good on its commitment to purchase $200 billion in additional U.S. goods and services in 2020 and 2021 under the “Phase 1” trade deal signed by former President Donald Trump. The officials said Washington was losing patience with Beijing, which had “not shown real signs” in recent months that it would close the gap in the two-year purchase commitments that expired at the end of 2021. Click here to read…

China could take further measures to rein in yuan- former regulator: Reuters
February 7, 2022

The Chinese government could take further measures if needed to keep the yuan stable, potentially putting downward pressure on the currency, a former foreign exchange regulator said. Policymakers could increase yuan’s flexibility, expand capital outflows, or control capital inflows to rein in the yuan, which could deviate from economic fundamentals in the short term, wrote Guan Tao, global chief economist at BOC International and a former official at the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). Click here to read…

U.S. House backs sweeping China competition bill as Olympics start: Reuters
February 5, 2022

The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday narrowly passed a multibillion-dollar bill aimed at increasing American competitiveness with China and boosting U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, despite Republican opposition. The Democratic-majority House backed the “America COMPETES Act of 2022” by 222-210, almost entirely along party lines. One Republican joined Democrats in voting for the measure and one Democrat voted no. Click here to read…

Republican senator urges U.S. to monitor China’s digital yuan push during Olympics: Reuters
February 4, 2022

A leading Senate Republican is urging the Biden administration to closely monitor the use of China’s recently launched digital currency during the Beijing Winter Olympics, where the country is expected to showcase the project to foreign visitors. In a letter sent Thursday to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Senator Pat Toomey expressed concern that the Chinese government could use the global event to help its digital yuan, dubbed e-CNY, gain a global foothold. Such an effort could be used to set standards in cross-border payments, as the People’s Bank of China looks to get out ahead of other countries in the race to develop central bank digital currencies, he warned. Click here to read…

China, Russia enhance ‘growing energy partnership’ with gas deal during Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin meeting: South China Morning Post
February 4, 2022

China and Russia strengthened the interdependency of their two economies on Friday as visiting President Vladimir Putin unveiled a series of agreements, including a new gas deal, during his meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing at a time when Moscow is facing rising tensions over Ukraine. Putin confirmed the deal to supply 10 billion cubic metres (353 billion cubic feet) of gas per year to China, which is the world’s biggest energy consumer, from Russia’s Far East via a new pipeline hours after landing in the Chinese capital ahead of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Click here to read…

China is a reliable friend and partner, President Xi Jinping tells Central Asian leaders on Olympics visit: South China Morning Post
February 5, 2022

China is a reliable partner for Central Asian nations and seeks to deepen cooperation in areas ranging from energy to security, Beijing has stressed, in its latest push to step up engagement with the region.This came as Chinese President Xi Jinping met the leaders of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the sidelines of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Xi’s meetings on Saturday, which also included exchanges with the Serbian and Egyptian leaders, followed groundbreaking talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony a day earlier, amid simmering tensions with the United States. Click here to read…

US-China tech war: Top Chinese university pulls report that concluded China would suffer more from tech decoupling with US: South China Morning Post
February 4, 2022

A think-tank at China’s prestigious Peking University has pulled a report that concluded China would likely suffer more in a tech decoupling from the US. The 7,600-character report was published on the official WeChat account of the school’s Institute of International and Strategic Studies on Sunday, and was subsequently shared by Chinese media outlets and analysts. A key finding from the analysis was that both the US and China would suffer from a tech decoupling, but China’s losses would likely be bigger than those of the US. Click here to read…

Why China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon may lack the firepower to use laser weapons: South China Morning Post
February 6, 2022

China’s ambitions to arm its most advanced fighter jet with hi-tech weapons, such as lasers or particle beams, may be frustrated by its underpowered engines, according to military analysts.An increasing number of countries are researching cutting-edge directed-energy weapons (DEW), including the United States which is looking into their use to target hypersonic missiles and gliders. Click here to read…