Taiwan reports rise in Chinese military activity as US election nears

Taiwan reports rise in Chinese military activity as US election nears

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Sunday it had spotted 35 Chinese military aircraft, including fighters and bombers, flying to the island's south on the way to exercises in the Pacific. It was the second day in a row it has reported such activities, and is taking place days before Tuesday's US presidential election. Laura Westbrook has more.

November 4, 2024 25

Science & Technology

Chinese crew to conduct experiments in space for six months

A Chinese spacecraft with a three-person crew, including the country's first female space engineer, has docked after a journey of more than six hours. The crew will use the homegrown space station as a base for six months to conduct experiments and carry out spacewalks. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

October 30, 2024 16

Africa

SA’s government denies Chinese pressure on Taiwan office relocation in Pretoria

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation has denied claims that the government has been pressured by China to order the relocation of Taiwan’s office from Pretoria to Johannesburg. Taiwan’s Foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, has accused South Africa of violating a 1997 agreement between the two countries. Dirco’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, spoke to Newzroom Afrika.

October 23, 2024 38

Business / Economics

IMF Adjusts Growth Forecasts, Cautions on Global Risks

The International Monetary Fund has raised its growth forecast for the United States but lowered its outlook for China, citing concerns over conflicts, trade tensions, and high interest rates. In its World Economic Outlook released on Tuesday, the IMF predicts global GDP will remain steady at 3.2% for this year and next. Finance leaders are convening in Washington DC this week for the IMF and World Bank annual meetings. From […]

October 23, 2024 15

Africa

SA’s Referendum Party calls for support of Taiwan’s self-determination

The Referendum Party is urging South Africa's government of national unity to publicly affirm Taiwan's right to self-determination. This follows South Africa's decision to ask Taiwan to relocate its embassy from Pretoria, reportedly influenced by China. The party's president, Phil Craig.

October 21, 2024 27

Business / Economics

China’s Q3 GDP hits weakest pace since early 2023

China's economy grew at the slowest pace since early 2023 in the three months to September, according to data released on Friday. The property sector remains a big challenge for Beijing as it tries to boost growth. Laura Westbrook has more from Hong Kong.

October 18, 2024 29

World

Blinken condemns China’s ‘increasingly dangerous’ sea moves

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned Beijing's "increasingly dangerous" actions in the South China Sea and voiced support for freedom of navigation. He met Asian leaders on Friday, where he will represent the United States at the annual Southeast Asian-led meetings, which President Joe Biden is skipping for the second straight year. Laura Westbrook has more.

October 11, 2024 26

World

Chinese and Russian disinformation flourishes in some African countries – anti-US sentiment helps it take hold

By Dani Madrid-Morales, University of Sheffield; Herman Wasserman, Stellenbosch University, and Saifuddin Ahmed, Nanyang Technological University The spread of disinformation is one of the biggest risks to societies. Recent examples have been conspiracy narratives about COVID-19 vaccinations and false claims about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The trend is linked partly to competition among world powers, which is being played out in Africa too. Across the continent, multiple foreign […]

September 5, 2024 17

Africa

DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt – how control by local elites can shape the global battery industry

By Raphael Deberdt, Colorado School of Mines and Jessica DiCarlo, University of Utah The mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is often portrayed as a victim of exploitation by China, the US and Europe in their competition for its minerals, which are critical for the energy transition. But our research has found that the DRC can influence the shape of the cobalt market, in which it is […]

September 5, 2024 12