The China-Global South Project

Why didn’t China intervene to defend partners like Iran or Venezuela?

Eric Olander and Andrea Ghiselli explain.

Full Analysis - tinyurl.com/4amc5ver

China Pins Hopes on Society-Wide AI Push to Add Jobs, Rejuvenate Economy By Laurie Chen China's scramble to adopt artificial intelligence will spawn new jobs and propel the world's second-largest economy, say policymakers and company executives, as they play down growing g...

China is betting AI will create jobs and boost growth despite global fears of automation-driven unemployment.

China to Hand Over New ECOWAS Headquarters in Nigeria China is preparing to hand over a newly built headquarters complex in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a 15-member regional bloc that promotes...

China is preparing to hand over a newly built headquarters complex in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

China Steps In to Mediate Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Dispute China is stepping up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after recent clashes along their disputed frontier, highlighting Beijing’s growing role as a regional mediator...

China is stepping up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after recent clashes.

China’s Wang Yi Criticizes U.S. and Defends Multilateral Order at Annual Press Briefing Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi forcefully denounced the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, saying the conflict “should never have happened.” Wang restated Beijing's call for a ceasefire and renewed ...

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi used a rare live press conference in Beijing to condemn the U.S. and Israel over the Iran war.

Ships Brandish China-Links to Weave Through Strait of Hormuz Ships anchored in the Gulf or transiting the Strait of Hormuz are changing their tracking data to boast links to China in an attempt to evade Iranian attacks, according to data from shipping tracker M...

Ships anchored in the Gulf or transiting the Strait of Hormuz are changing their tracking data to boast links to China in an attempt to evade Iranian attacks, according to data from shipping tracker Marine Traffic analyzed by AFP.

China’s Geely Expands Into African Space With Algeria, Morocco Satellite Deals Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, better known as the parent of one of China's largest automakers, is expanding deep into Africa's nascent space industry, striking satellite agreements with Algeria and Mo...

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, better known as the parent of one of China’s largest automakers, is expanding deep into Africa’s nascent space industry.

Oil Shock Tests China’s Gulf Dependence, but Beijing’s Diversified Energy Strategy May Blunt the Impact There appears to be mounting concern but not outright panic over the surge of oil prices on Monday, brought on by the war between the U.S./Israel, and Iran. Oil prices opened the week above $100 a bar...

As oil prices surge above $100 amid the Iran war, analysts outline steps that China can take to insulate its already weak economy from the effects of higher imported energy from the Persian Gulf.

BRICS Faces a Test as China and India Offer Starkly Different Responses to War In the space of 24 hours, between Sunday and Monday, the foreign ministers from both China and India laid out their respective governments’ positions on the escalating war in the Middle East. In Beiji...

China and India responded very differently to the Middle East war, revealing deep divisions inside BRICS. Does this raise questions regarding the bloc's cohesion and its ability to challenge U.S. influence?

China's Strategy for Iran’s New Leadership

Andrea Ghiselli breaks down how Beijing typically navigates political transitions abroad and why pragmatism, not ideology, will likely guide China’s next move.

Full Analysis - tinyurl.com/4amc5ver

As China Builds the Grid, Laos’s Power Ambitions Enter a New Phase 2026 marks a strategic turning point for Laos in its ambition to become the “Battery of Southeast Asia”, with two mega power transmission projects advancing this year. On the first day of January 2026...

Laos advances its “Battery of Southeast Asia” ambition in 2026 with new 230 kV domestic and 500 kV China-Laos transmission lines.

The Three Faces of Chinese Investment in Southeast Asia: SOEs, POEs, and MNEs In 2025, China remained a top-three source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Southeast Asia, following only the U.S. and intra-Southeast Asian flows. While much of the investment falls under the u...

In 2025, China ranked among Southeast Asia’s top foreign direct investment sources. Read Chen Heyi's analysis on how State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Private-Owned Enterprises (POEs), and Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) differ in their funding and focus.

Indonesia Seeks to Diversify Partners for Its New Rare Earth Industry but Moving Away From China Will Be Difficult Indonesia sits on a geological treasure trove of rare earth minerals, and the government is eager to tap into the wealth they could bring. While it knows how to find, mine, and sell the highly sought-...

Indonesia aims to develop its rare earth resources but lacks refining capacity, leaving it reliant on China for processing while facing high costs, environmental risks, and geopolitical pressure from the United States to diversify supply chains.

When Transsion Holdings entered Africa, Chinese phones had a reputation problem.

Local distributors helped change that.

They acted as “translators”, adapting a Chinese business model to African markets.

The Strategy Behind Transsion Holdings’ Rise: “De-Plowing” Strategy

What is the “De-Plowing” Strategy?

Most people explain the success of Transsion Holdings in Africa by pointing to affordable prices and features tailored for local consumers.

But the real story runs much deeper.

Africa was the smartphone industry’s most overlooked market.

Shenzhen-based Transsion Holdings took a different approach and is now the world’s 5th-largest smartphone maker.

Miao Lu joined Eric and Cobus to explain the strategy.

📹- tinyurl.com/3jju9yex

China’s Top Diplomat Warns That U.S.-China Estrangement Risks Global Catastrophe as Xi-Trump Summit Looms By Liz Lee and Xiuhao Chen U.S.-China dialogue is vital to preventing globally damaging miscalculations, China's top diplomat said on Sunday, ahead of a highly anticipated summit this month between le...

U.S.-China dialogue is vital to preventing globally damaging miscalculations, China's top diplomat said on Sunday, ahead of a highly anticipated summit this month between leaders Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.

China’s Growing Influence Tops Trump Agenda Hosting Latin American Leaders By Nandita Bose, Sarah Morland and David Brunnstrom President Donald Trump will host Latin American leaders in Florida on Saturday as his administration seeks to counter China's growing influence in t...

President Trump hosts the “Shield of the Americas” summit in Florida, rallying Latin American leaders to strengthen U.S. influence, counter China, and coordinate on security, trade, migration, and regional economic policies.

Why Green Energy Will Be the Big Winner of the Iran Crisis By Cobus van Staden, CGSP Head of Research Remember “no blood for oil”? Decades ago, the slogan emblematized opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Its logic subsequently shifted as the United State...

The Iran war and disruption of the Strait of Hormuz expose the fragility of the global oil system. As energy flows falter, China’s push for renewables under Xi Jinping increasingly looks like a strategic energy security hedge.

The world is scrambling for lithium, cobalt, and rare earths.

Nicolas Niarchos joins Eric Olander & Christian Geraud to discuss how the scramble to control these metals and their production is overturning the world order.

Full Analysis - tinyurl.com/4k3ajz5h

Ren Hanjun, a visiting professor at Peking University, argues in a viral WeChat post that whether the U.S. defeats Iran or ends in a stalemate, China stands to gain strategically in the Middle East. tinyurl.com/ycxbfjrt

China Prioritizes Energy and Diplomacy Over Iran Support By Peter CATTERALL China has expressed its anger over Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran, but, despite hits to its oil imports, will not risk its interests by confronting Washington and helping its long-sta...

China has expressed its anger over Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran, but, despite hits to its oil imports, will not risk its interests by confronting Washington and helping its long-standing partner, analysts say.

China to Send Special Envoy to Mediate in Middle East: FM China will send a special envoy to mediate in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday, as the war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran spiraled across the region. Beijing has ...

China to send a special envoy to mediate in the Middle East to mediate tensions after US-Israel strikes on Iran.

Philippine Resupply Mission Data Leaked to Chinese Intelligence, Security Official Says By Karen Lema A spokesman for the National Security Council (NSC) of the Philippines on Thursday said some information on the country's resupply missions in the South China Sea was compromised and pas...

A spokesman for the National Security Council of the Philippines on Thursday said some information on the country's resupply missions in the South China Sea was compromised and passed on to Chinese intelligence agents.

Chinese Cable Project Opposed by U.S. Sparks Row in Chile U.S. concerns about a proposed Chinese fiber-optic cable linking Asia with South America under the sea led to a spat Tuesday between Chile's outgoing left-wing president and his Washington-backed succ...

A proposed China Mobile fiber-optic cable linking Hong Kong and Valparaiso has triggered U.S. opposition and a political clash between Chile’s outgoing president Gabriel Boric and president-elect Jose Antonio Kast during a tense transfer of power.

China Steps In as Malaysia’s Data Center Surge Puts the Power Grid to the Test Since 2024, Malaysia has emerged as a main data center hub in ASEAN, challenging Singapore’s long-standing dominance. As of early 2026, Malaysia has 34 existing data centers with 33 upcoming, accordin...

Malaysia’s rapid rise as ASEAN’s data center hub, led by Johor, is testing power grids and water supplies, as China-backed energy upgrades become key to sustaining ASEAN hub ambitions.

Zimbabwe Says Fast-Tracked Ban Over Lithium Export Rush Zimbabwe fast-tracked the entry of a ban on raw lithium exports last week after mining companies engaged in an

Zimbabwe fast-tracks raw lithium export ban after mining scramble, aiming to boost local refining and curb illicit stockpiling of strategic minerals.

China’s Relationship with Iran: More Balancing Act than All In While China has expressed support for Iran as it faces attacks from Israel and the United States, readouts from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s conversation with Iran’s Abbas Araghchi hint at a mor...

China backs Iran diplomatically, but deep energy and trade ties with Saudi Arabia and Qatar reveal limits to Beijing’s support amid rising regional tensions.

None of the TV-based content works, especially in China, where marketing is almost entirely done online. Regarding Chinese state media like CGTN, I don't think they care much. They made the initial TV investment in Africa, and it's been the same for 10+ years. Focus is all on digital now. — Eric