Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | CHINAAFRICA The power of the provinces 18th December 2008 The devolution of decision-taking on trade and foreign relations allows regional governments and companies to form their own ties with Africa The provincial leaders who have driven China’s economic boom and commercial charge into Africa insist that history is on their side. Ancient China’s Emperors – powerful as they...
Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | CHINAAFRICA The twins and trade 18th December 2008 The provinces are twinned with African countries but it is more than just the usual polite and friendly gesture common in Europe The twinning of provinces and cities in China and Africa is central to Beijing’s strategy of allowing provinces to take a lead role in trade matters. For Beijing,...
Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | CHINATAIWANAFRICA The waiting list 18th December 2008 Taiwan is financially out-gunned by China and a diplomatic truce may now be its only option The diplomatic battles between China and Taiwan – often played out on African soil – are on hold. There is no formal truce yet because China’s strategists...
Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | NIGERIACHINA Crumbling cement 18th December 2008 China's biggest deal yet with a commercial African manufacturer is scaled back Worsening international economic conditions, tighter credit lines and Nigeria’s weak industrial policy have led to a sharp cutback in the US$3.3 billion cement manufacturing deal between China’s Sinoma...
Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | JAPANAFRICA Tokyo's plans 18th December 2008 JICA President Sadako Ogata says that Japan will speed up, scale up and spread out Japanese assistance to Africa Sadako Ogata, President of the newly reorganised Japan International Cooperation Agency, says that the JICA is now the best funded national development agency in the world. Her job,...
Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | CONGO-KINSHASACHINA Nkunda's anti-Beijing card 18th December 2008 Congo's rebel General Laurent Nkunda demands that the Kinshasa government cancels all China contracts China’s billion dollar contracts in Congo are at the centre of a new propaganda front in rebel General Laurent Nkunda’s war against President Joseph Kabila’s government in Kinshasa....
Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | CHINA Tenzin Gyatso 18th December 2008 The 14th Dalai Lama, Tibet Though the Dalai Lama has recently hinted at retirement, his capacity to ruffle China’s feathers is undiminished. His lecture in Lagos, Nigeria, on 28 November passed without incident...
Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | INDIA Deepak Kapoor 18th December 2008 23rd Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army The 26 November terrorist attacks in Mumbai that left 164 people dead and more than 300 wounded took place during General Deepak Kapoor’s African goodwill tour, but he...
Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | VIETNAM Vu Tien Loc 18th December 2008 Chairman, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry In August 2008, the sun shone brightly on the Beijing Olympics. With Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping providing behind-the-scenes muscle, the government forced factory closures and enacted draconian traffic...
Vol 2 (AAC) No 2 | CHINA Liu Qi 18th December 2008 Secretary, China Communist Party In August 2008, the sun shone brightly on the Beijing Olympics. With Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping providing behind-the-scenes muscle, the government forced factory closures and enacted draconian traffic...