Sub-Saharan Africa

China

Economics

Politics

China in Transition

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

Trade between China and Africa reached an all-time record of $254 billion in 2021 with a $67 billion increase from 2020, The China-Africa Project reported Jan. 19.

Africa, China: Record 2021 Trade Presages More Partnerships in 2022

Supply Chains

The New Silk Road

Laos

Environment, Science & Technology

Social Issues

Crossing Borders

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

The thousand-kilometer China-Laos high-speed railway opened, linking the Laotian capital of Vientiane to China’s southern hub of Kunming after five years of construction, South China Morning Post reported Dec. 3.

Laos, China: High-Speed Railway Opens, Benefits Unclear

Chinese companies acquired 6.48 million hectares of land overseas between 2011 and 2020, Nikkei Asia reported July 13, citing a new report released by Land Matrix. 

China: Chinese Firms Accounted for Majority of Overseas Land Acquisitions Between 2011-2020

Agriculture

Europe

On July 6, Politico sources claimed to have seen a draft of the EU Council’s infrastructure development alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which EU foreign ministers are likely to sign on Monday. 

EU: Brussels Drafts Alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Montenegro

Montenegro’s finance minister Milojko Spajic announced on June 17 that European financial institutions had almost completed plans to refinance over $800 million of debt owed to China for a 2014 highway project associated with Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, Reuters has reported. 

Montenegro: Government Finalizing Plans With Europe to Refinance China Debt

Lithuania

Lithuania is withdrawing from China’s 17+1 cooperation mechanism with Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) as of Saturday, with Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis claiming China used the mechanism to divide the European Union, the Baltic Times reported May 24. 



Lithuania: Country Withdraws From Chinese Cooperation Initiative

Indonesia

A series of landslides killed three people near the construction site of Chinese state-owned enterprise Sinohydro’s $1.5 billion dam on Indonesia’s Sumatra island on April 29, according to a statement made by Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency. 

Indonesia: Landslides at China-Funded Dam Kills at Least 3 People

Environmental Issues

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong announced that authorities have agreed to raise the price of the Chinese-built East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from $10.6 billion to $12 billion, The South China Morning Post reported April 5. 



Malaysia: Country Raises Price Commitment on China-led Rail Project

China’s remarkable economic growth requires a remarkable amount of raw materials — more materials, in fact, than the once self-sufficient country can now produce on its own. And in an effort to procure these materials closer to home, Beijing has enacted the One Belt, One Road initiative, parts of which follow the ancient Silk Road trading route that connected the Far East to Europe. The initiative is a development strategy meant to integrate resources and markets throughout Eurasia, create new trading partners, ensure employment for Chinese workers and diversify the Chinese currency. Perhaps the ultimate goal of One Belt, One Road, however, is to insulate the Chinese economy from sudden disruptions — all the more important now that growth is finally slowing.

In an effort to procure these materials closer to home, Beijing has enacted the One Belt, One Road initiative, parts of which follow the ancient Silk Road trading route that connected the Far East to Europe.

Myanmar

Thailand

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Iran

Pakistan

The Politics of Pipelines

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Globalization

Instability in Central Asia

South Asian Militancy

Columns

On Geopolitics

Ukraine

Russia

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying discusses the Russia-Ukraine crisis during a press conference in Beijing on Feb. 24, 2022. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Military & Security

Echoes of the Cold War

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Beijing’s mixed reaction to the invasion reflects a deeper unease with Moscow’s desire to build a moat around itself as China tries to bridge the vast continental area.

The Ukraine War Exposes Russia and China’s Competing Visions for Eurasia

Security

Assessments

Nicaragua

United States

Taiwan

A video grab shows Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada announcing the country’s diplomatic split from Taiwan on Dec. 9, 2021. 

The move shows how the U.S.’s sanctions-heavy, anti-corruption drive in Central America risks pushing countries into China’s open arms. 

What to Make of Nicaragua’s Diplomatic Break From Taiwan

Security Challenges in Latin America

U.S.-China Relations

Snapshots

India

Sri Lanka

The Port of Colombo is seen on Oct. 19, 2021, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

Domestic backlash against investments from mostly China and India will challenge Colombo’s ability to mitigate the island nation’s debt and liquidity crisis.

Sri Lanka’s Economic Struggles Will Deepen Its Reliance on Foreign Funds

Afghanistan

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid addresses media at the Kabul airport on Aug. 31, 2021. 

Taliban comments that Beijing is their main partner appear more aspirational than a confirmation of significant Chinese advances in Afghanistan.

In Approaching the Taliban, China Will Tread Carefully 

Pakistani paramilitary forces stand guard near the Afghan border in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Sept. 16, 2020. 

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

 As it awaits the rise of the ultimate power bearer in Afghanistan, Islamabad will focus on preventing violence that poses a serious threat to Chinese investments.

Gauging Pakistan’s Position Amid the Turmoil in Afghanistan 

Australia

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne takes questions during a Senate hearing on Feb. 22, 2021.

Australia’s federalist system and the need to maintain trade and investment flows will limit attempts to shape Beijing’s economic footprint in the country. 

Australia Vetoes Victoria’s Belt and Road Deal With China

Iran and China’s foreign ministers (right to left) sign a partnership agreement in Tehran on March 27, 2021. 

Tehran will aim to balance increased cooperation with Beijing by pursuing sanctions relief from the U.S. and overall deeper ties with Western countries. 

Iran Will Pursue Its New China Partnership With Caution 

Iran's Arc of Influence

Modernizing China’s Military

Czech Republic

Estonia

Latvia

Bulgaria

Croatia

Poland

Romania

Austria

Slovakia

Slovenia

Hungary

A satellite image shows Europe at night.

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The move shows the White House remains committed to its security and economic engagements in the region, with an eye on countering China and Russia. 

The U.S. Ramps Up Financial Support to Central and Eastern Europe

EU: Regional Blocs

Eurasia

A protester is seen in the window of the seized main government building, known as the White House, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Oct. 6, 2020. 

The overnight seizure of government buildings cast doubt over President Jeenbekov’s continued rule, but the crisis is unlikely to shift the country’s overall policy direction.

In Kyrgyzstan, Protests Challenge the President’s Place in Power

Guidance

Angola

The IMF’s announced $1 billion disbursement will help fill some of Angola’s financing gaps, though there is clearly a market view that the country may still require more comprehensive debt restructuring.

Reading the Fine Print of Angola’s Debt Restructuring

COVID-19

_Energy

Bosnia and Herzegovina

North Macedonia

Serbia

Albania

Kosovo

Turkey

An external view of the building of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. 

European Disintegration

As COVID-19 forces the EU to remain focused on recovering (and not enlarging) its economy, candidate countries such as Serbia risk veering away from the reforms they had been pursuing to earn their place in the bloc.

What the Fading Promise of EU Accession Means for the Balkans

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Vietnam

Cadets from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy march in formation before a ceremony at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on Sept. 30, 2019. 

With the pressures and opportunities of both a continental and maritime power, China faces an amphibian’s dilemma, as the characteristics best suited for life at sea and life at land may not always prove complementary.

China’s Amphibian Dilemma: Straddling Land and Sea Ambitions

The New Silk Road

SITUATION REPORTS

Africa, China: Record 2021 Trade Presages More Partnerships in 2022

Laos, China: High-Speed Railway Opens, Benefits Unclear

China: Chinese Firms Accounted for Majority of Overseas Land Acquisitions Between 2011-2020

EU: Brussels Drafts Alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Montenegro: Government Finalizing Plans With Europe to Refinance China Debt

Lithuania: Country Withdraws From Chinese Cooperation Initiative

Indonesia: Landslides at China-Funded Dam Kills at Least 3 People

Malaysia: Country Raises Price Commitment on China-led Rail Project

Forecasts

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