Stories about China
Seeking independence from Chinese exports, Brazil enters bid to explore rare earths
Rare earths are essential for the green energy transition, however, they are also difficult to mine and harmful to the environment, leading to the “rare earth paradox.”
The impact of China's fishing policies on West Africa
Climate pressure and overfishing have reduced domestic fish output in China, forcing Chinese fishing vessels into overseas waters. Fishermen in West Africa are paying the price.
A Japanese schoolboy was killed in China, raising concerns about increasing xenophobia
As anti-Japanese sentiment spreads in China, the second hate-crime in two months is raising questions about the country’s nationalistic education and how it is spreading xenophobia.
Fueling China's EV expansion: The green revolution and its environmental demands in Central Asia
China is looking to increase its electric vehicle exports in Central Asia, however, the region's coal-based energy grid and increasing EV-related mining projects could stunt the benefits of this green vehicle transition.
Does ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ conquer the game world with its free spirit or China’s soft power?
Some believe that China's desire to promote its soft power has contributed to the game's popularity, others see the creating team's will to confront the destiny of the gaming sector.
China’s top nationalist influencer Hu Xijin silenced for over a month, but very few miss him
Hu Xijin, the former chief editor of the Chinese-state-funded Global Times and a prominent nationalist commentator, has been quiet on social media for over one month, since he critiqued party policy.
Pacific leaders’ statement removes Taiwan reference after China complaint
China intervened in the annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), insisting Pacific leaders remove any mention of Taiwan from their communique on the forum.
Turkey is committed to undermining NATO
"Hesitation to hold Turkey accountable is partially understandable. NATO was created to counter the systemic threat posed by the Soviet Union. It has no developed mechanisms to counter internal threats ..."
China helped Cameroon build drinking water infrastructure. Is it a debt crisis or developmental aid?
Cameroon has built up it's clean water infrastructure thanks to access to Chinese loans. However, what are the long-term consequences of the resulting debt?
Hong Kong secondary students may soon be schooled in ‘Xi Jinping Thought’
Among topics for patriotic education in Hong Kong were: Xi Jinping Thought, socialism with Chinese characteristics, and national security and national defence.
Taiwan struggles to combat Chinese influence in its generative AI tools
Taiwan released TAIDE, a Taiwan-centric generative AI bot, in April 2024, to address cultural and political bias and security risks, like industrial espionage, cyber-attacks and propaganda, associated with imported AIs.
China strives to go green in South America's ‘Lithium Triangle’
Lithium is essential for the global green energy transition. At the same time, the pursuit of “white gold” comes with significant environmental and social costs. The Andean Lithium Triangle is grappling with this contradiction.
The pros and cons of Chinese investment in Tajikistan's gold mining sector
China controls over 75 percent of Tajikistan’s output of gold, which, on the one hand generates significant money for the Tajik government, but also harms local citizens and the ecosystem.
Chinese social media users call this age “The Garbage Time of History”
A new buzzword, “the garbage time of history”, has gone viral on the Chinese internet after the suspected suicide of a 30-year-old female investment bank worker.
As electric vehicles gain momentum in Brazil, China's influence shines through
Chinese electric vehicles has made major inroads into Brazil's auto industry, however, increased tariffs on Chinese EVs could slow this progress.
Boycotting Xinjiang cotton: What does it mean for environmental and labor justice in Central Asia?
While international brands have stepped away from cotton produced in Xinjiang, China, due to human rights concerns, some of the alternative producers, including Uzbekistan, have their own environmental and labor rights issues.
The complex role China plays in Africa's energy transition
China's investment in the clean energy sector in East African countries has simultaneously offered thousands access to electricity, while also creating opportunities for exploitation within the market.
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway: Between optimism and concern
The proposed route will further integrate Kyrgyzstan into Central Asian trade routes and potentially open new transport avenues to European and Gulf countries.
China’s legal warfare on Taiwan separatists: The death penalty and absentia trials
Critics believe the guidelines will have a chilling effect and deter ordinary Taiwanese from expressing pro-independent views. Additionally, fewer Taiwanese tourists will travel to China and Hong Kong.
Tensions at Colombia’s largest gold mine highlight climate justice quagmire
The Colombian government is simultaneously facing a lawsuit by a Chinese mining company, protests by local miners, and calls for action by communities caught in the middle.
Decolonization, the climate crisis, and improving media education in the Pacific
"There should be more international reporting about the 'hidden stories' of the Pacific such as the unresolved decolonisation issues."
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