china

Namibia’s CPI comes in at 5.3%

The Namibia Statistics Agency’s latest Consumer Price Index shows that Namibia’s annual inflation stood at 5.3 percent during December 2023. NSA Communication specialist, Mirja Shihepo helps make sense of things. Meanwhile, during the month of November 2023, Namibia’s trade balance stood at a deficit of N$4.0 billion an improvement when compared to N$4.5 billion when compared to N$2.8 billion recorded in October 2023. The country’s trade composition by partner […]

18 January, 2024

World

Nauru Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Taiwan

One of Taiwan's last diplomatic allies has cut ties with the island just days after its closely-watched presidential election. A senior Taiwanese official said Beijing offered the Pacific Island nation of Nauru $100 million a year for it to sever links. Patrick Fok reports.

16 January, 2024

World

China’s condemned the United States and other foreign countries that congratulated William Lai

China's condemned the United States and other foreign countries that congratulated William Lai for winning the Taiwan presidential election at the weekend. Beijing has never ruled the democratic island of 24 million people but says it is part of Communist China and refuses to rule out a military attack to unite it with the mainland. Here's Andrew Wood in Hong Kong.

15 January, 2024

World

Four things to know as Taiwan goes to the polls

Taiwan votes for a new president, and parliament, on Saturday in an election that will be closely watched around the world. The winner will lead the democracy of 23 million people as it manages bellicose threats from China, which claims the island as its own. Here are some key facts about self-ruled Taiwan, which has its own currency, flag, military and government but is not recognised as an independent state […]

12 January, 2024

World

China’s Xi says wants closer EU ties in meeting with Belgium PM

China is willing to strengthen relations with Europe, President Xi Jinping said on Friday, at a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in Beijing. De Croo arrived in China on Thursday, attending the inauguration of the new Belgian embassy in Beijing and meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the same day. "China is willing to work with the European Union to promote steady progress in China-EU […]

12 January, 2024

World

World Bank says China’s economy will slow down further this year

Some diverging predictions for China's economy: the World Bank says it will slow down even further this year, compared to 2023, but a Chinese state institute says things are going to get better. Here's Andrew Wood in Hong Kong. ENG CHINAS ECONOMY WORLD BANK

11 January, 2024

World

China Warns Taiwan off Ruling Party’s Presidential Contender

China has issued a strongly-worded warning to people in Taiwan against voting for the ruling party's candidate in this island's upcoming presidential election. William Lai has a narrow lead in polls that could have a critical impact on security in the Indonesian-Pacific. Patrick Fok reports.

11 January, 2024

World

Taiwan plays down Chinese satellite launch’s possible influence on elections

Taiwan's presidential office is playing down claims that China was trying to interfere in its elections this weekend by launching a space rocket carrying a satellite that flew over the island on Tuesday. Taiwan mistakenly sent an air-raid alert to mobile phones on the island when it detected the flight. Here's Andrew Wood in Hong Kong.

10 January, 2024

Africa

Scramble for the Sahel – why France, Russia, China and the United States are interested in the region

By Olayinka Ajala, Leeds Beckett University The Sahel, a region 3,860km wide located south of the Sahara Desert and stretching east-west across the African continent, has been a focus of attention around the world recently. In the last decade, issues such as terrorism, insecurity and trafficking have characterised the region. Military takeovers have been a major source of concern in the region and beyond in the last few years. […]

9 January, 2024