Eric Olander
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Editor in Chief of The China-Global South Project. Follow us for daily updates: @ChinaGSProject (EN), @AfrikChine (FR) & @SinSharqAwsat (AR)
Articles by Eric Olander
The U.S. Wants Global South Countries to Reject Chinese AI. Will They?
A selection of AI applications, including Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Mistral, Copilot, Grok and Perplexity, appears on a smartphone screen in Creteil, France, on September 11, 2026, as Anthropic announced that it had blocked several accounts that used its artificial intelligence models for research that could contribute to the development of biological weapons.
Lula’s Re-Election Gives China a Crucial Win in South America
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Workers' Party (PT) candidate for re-election, waves a Brazilian flag as he addresses supporters after his victory in the presidential runoff election, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 26, 2026. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Key Takeaways Quick China congratulations to Lula, before rival Bolsonaro conceded, signalling Beijing's relief and strategic approval.
Chinese-Backed Nigerian Fintech OPAY Targets $4 Billion Valuation in U.S. IPO
Key Takeaways OPAY plans a U.S. IPO marketing 16 million American depositary receipts at $19 to $21, seeking about $336 million and valuing it over $4 billion. Founded in 2018 by Yahui Zhou, OPAY is Chinese-backed; Zhou remains non-executive chairman and largest shareholder. The IPO follows Transsion Holdings’ recent listing and underscores Chinese entrepreneurs building billion-dollar African tech firms, challenging Western perceptions.
Chinese Car Sales Surge Disrupts South Africa’s Used Vehicle Market
Vehicles of the Chery Holding Group are displayed during the launch of the Chery manufacturing facility at the former Nissan factory in Rosslyn, Pretoria, South Africa, July 3, 2026. REUTERS/Ihsaan Haffejee Key Takeaways CMH reported used car sales down 10% and gross margins down 4.7% amid a surge of new Chinese vehicles. Rapid depreciation of early Chinese EVs bought 4 to 5 years ago makes trade-ins difficult and lowers resale values.
Africa Is Growing, But Is It Getting Richer?
Construction crews at work on the Nairobi Expressway on February 26, 2021, a project financed and constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation. Photo by SIMON MAINA / AFP Africa is projected to grow by 4.6% in 2026, potentially outpacing China for the first time in decades. But faster GDP growth does not necessarily translate into rising living standards.
China’s Coffee Market Seen Doubling by 2030 as Brands Eye Southeast Asia
Customers purchase Luckin Coffee at a shopping mall in Shanghai, east China, during the National Day holiday, Oct 2, 2026. Many residents flocked to stores to browse and buy, boosting consumer vitality. (Photo by stringer / IC photo / Imaginechina via AFP) Key Takeaways China's coffee market forecast to nearly double to $72.8 billion by 2030, with Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project?
L’afflux massif d’exportations chinoises met à mal l’industrie sud-africaine tout en stimulant la croissance ailleurs sur le continent
Selon de nouvelles données, les importations chinoises affluent cette année à un rythme record vers trois des plus grandes économies africaines : l’Afrique du Sud, le Nigeria et le Maroc. Mais leur impact est loin d’être uniforme. Pour certains producteurs locaux, cette vague d’importations constitue une grave menace concurrentielle, tandis que pour d’autres, elle se traduit par un accès moins coûteux aux intrants dont ils ont besoin.
Why China’s New Military Facility in Laos Matters
A satellite image shows construction of an airport in Ban Keun, where China’s Ministry of National Defense says it has opened a joint military support and training centre, in Vientiane Province, Laos, September 2, 2026. Vantor/Handout via REUTERS China’s new joint air training facility in Laos highlights Beijing’s incremental expansion of its military access across Southeast Asia.
How China’s Biggest Bank Advances Beijing’s Global Ambitions
The world’s largest bank by assets is also a powerful instrument of Chinese statecraft. An investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, based on 4.8 million confidential records, reveals how the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) aligned lending decisions with Beijing’s strategic priorities, sometimes overriding internal compliance concerns to secure natural resources, support Chinese companies, and strengthen political alliances.
How China’s Biggest Bank Advances Beijing’s Global Ambitions
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Huangpu District, Shanghai, China on April 24, 2026. (Photo by WG / CFoto / CFOTO via AFP) The world’s largest bank by assets is also a powerful instrument of Chinese statecraft.
China’s Export Flood Squeezes South African Industry While Fueling Growth Elsewhere on the Continent
Key Takeaways Imports from China into South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco rose about 30% year to d Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project? Independent The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture. News A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.
China’s Export Boom Is a Threat to Some and an Opportunity for Others
A drone view shows a cargo ship approaching a container terminal at Lianyungang port, Jiangsu province, China October 14, 2026. China Daily via REUTERS Key Takeaways China's export boom has produced a record goods trade surplus, revealing how much the world buys from Chinese factories. Critics say Beijing's subsidies create overcapacity, while defenders blame falling behind and accuse rivals of using claims to justify protectionism.
Why Africa Matters to China
Botswana's President Duma Boko and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, October 13, 2026. Kai Naito/Pool via REUTERS China is deepening its engagement with Africa as geopolitical competition intensifies, with President Xi Jinping meeting the leaders of Botswana and Togo in Beijing.
Yemen Gov’t Says Raised Houthis’ Alleged Use of Chinese Tech With Beijing
Armed Yemeni supporters of the Iran-backed Houthi movement brandish their weapons during a protest against US strikes on Iran in Sanaa on July 10, 2026. Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP Key Takeaways Yemeni government, via Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba, raised alleged Chinese-made Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project?
India and China Are Talking Again. Can They Trust Each Other?
India and China are cautiously rebuilding ties after years of confrontation, but normalization remains fragile. Recent high-level meetings have restored diplomatic momentum, yet unresolved territorial claims, persistent military deployments and deep strategic mistrust continue to constrain progress. Beyond the border, the two Asian powers face competing regional ambitions, an increasingly complex relationship with Washington and a deeply imbalanced trade relationship.
India-China Relations Are Improving. Here’s What Remains Unresolved
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony before the start of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Alexander KAZAKOV / POOL / AFP) India and China are cautiously rebuilding ties after years of confrontation, but normalization remains fragile.
IMF Cuts China’s 2026 Economic Growth Forecast to 4.5%
File image of the exterior of the IMF headquarter building in Washington, D.C. MANDEL NGAN / AFP Key Takeaways IMF cuts China 2026 growth forecast to 4.5%, a slight downward revision from July. Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project? Independent The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.
China Warns Japan Against Acquiring Nuclear-Powered Submarines
China's Ministry of Defense Spokesperson, Chen Xi, at a regular press briefing in Beijing on October 10, 2026. Image via the Chinese Ministry of Defense. Key Takeaways China warns that Japan's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines would undermine Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project? Independent The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.
Japan Courts Vietnam as It Expands Security Partnerships to Counter China
Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party To Lam (R) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) shake hands at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on May 2, 2026. (Photo by LUONG THAI LINH / POOL / AFP) Key Takeaways Proposed summit in Tokyo on November 9 between PM Sanae Takaichi and President To L Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project?
China, Africa and the Fight Against Telecom Fraud
TOPSHOT - A paramilitary police officer stands guard on the closed off to public Tiananmen Square in Beijing as the Forum On China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) continues on September 4, 2018. President Xi Jinping told African leaders September 3 that China's investments on the continent have "no political strings attached", pledging 60 billion USD in new development financing, even as Beijing is increasingly criticised over its debt-heavy projects abroad.
China’s BRI Cuts Both Ways for Authoritarian Rule
Key Takeaways Chinese BRI investment can reinforce entrenched authoritarian rule by bolstering patronage networks and developmental legitimacy, exemplified by Cambodia's CPP. Chinese investment can fuel corruption scandals, elite fractures and opposition mobilization, as with Najib's projects and Barisan Nasional's defeat in Malaysia. Regime outcomes are contingent; BRI's political effects depend on existing political settlements, elite cohesion and contestation strength.
Kaiser Kuo on Americans’ Changing Views of China
U.S. public attitudes toward China are becoming less hawkish, widening the gap between Washington’s national security establishment and a public increasingly favoring cooperation. A Chicago Council survey found 57% of Americans support engagement with China, compared with 85% of surveyed national security professionals favoring competition and containment.
More Chinese Weapons Appearing on Battlefields in Sudan and Ethiopia
Video of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) shooting down an RSF-operated Chinese-made CH-95 drone over West Kordofan in west-central Sudan. Key Takeaways Social media footage shows the Sudanese Armed Forces shooting down a Chinese-made d Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project? Independent The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.
Is America Getting Tired of Fighting China?
US President Donald Trump stands with China's President Xi Jinping as they arrive to visit the National Archives in Washington, DC on September 25, 2026. The rotunda at the National Archives permanently houses the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the US Constitution. U.S. public attitudes toward China are becoming less hawkish, widening the gap between Washington’s national security establishment and a public increasingly favoring cooperation.
Philippines Accuses China of Harassing Patrols in Disputed Waters
View of a China Coast Guard vessel that attempted to block Philippines fishers from operating near the disputed Thitu island in the South China Sea on October 4, 2026. Image via the Philippine Coast Guard Key Takeaways Philippines accused a J-16 fighter of repeatedly approaching a Filipino Cessna 208 n Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project?
Les motos électriques chinoises connaissent un véritable essor au Nigeria. Un spécialiste du secteur y voit un piège.
Les motos électriques chinoises transforment les rues du Nigeria, mais un expert chinois du secteur met en garde contre le fait que ce qui semble être une situation gagnant-gagnant pourrait cacher des coûts bien plus élevés.
Hidden Uranium in DRC Cobalt Exports to China: Is It a Problem?
A Congolese Miner holds a piece of cobalt ore. Image: Junior Kannah / AFP The DRC’s cobalt industry is also moving uranium through global supply chains, creating a problem that extends beyond critical-minerals security. Researchers estimate that 2,000–5,000 tons of uranium may have left the country as a byproduct of cobalt production, raising questions about nuclear-security risks, environmental exposure, and the traceability of mineral exports.
Kenya: La Chine vend sa vision de la gouvernance mondiale
Alors que les États-Unis se désengagent du système international qu’ils ont contribué à mettre en place après la Seconde Guerre mondiale et s’emploient activement à le saper, la Chine s’empresse de façonner une nouvelle ère de gouvernance mondiale articulée autour de ses propres intérêts et priorités. Ces dernières années, Pékin a lancé des initiatives dans les domaines du développement, de la sécurité, des droits de l’homme et de la gouvernance mondiale.
China’s Electric Motorcycles Are Booming in Nigeria. One Industry Insider Sees a Trap.
Even as international e-bike brands like Spiro from the UAE expand in Nigeria, many of the parts and tech on these bikes are sourced from China. Image via Spiro. Key Takeaways Chinese supply-chain dominance provides cheap e-motorcycles in Lagos but destroys local repair livelihoods and locks Africa into low-value assembly.
Des armes chinoises font leur apparition dans le conflit en Ethiopie
Avec la reprise probable de la guerre civile éthiopienne entre le gouvernement et les rebelles du nord dans la région du Tigré, ainsi que des affrontements distincts avec le Fano dans l’Amhara et l’Armée de libération oromo en Oromia, l’attention se porte une nouvelle fois sur le rôle que joueront les armes chinoises dans ce conflit.
Five Years After China’s Overseas Coal Pledge, Off-Grid Plants Test Its Commitment
What is The China-Global South Project? Independent The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture. News A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms. Analysis Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.
Chinese-Made Air Defenses Appear as Fighting Escalates in Ethiopia
An Ethiopian National Defense Force truck purportedly carrying a Chinese-made FK-2000 short- to medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation. Image via @Zeyede1264. Key Takeaways Likely resumption of the Ethiopian civil war; Chinese-made FK-2000 missiles moved f Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project?
After Maduro: The Current State of China-Venezuela Relations
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez smiles during a meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright (out of frame) over an oil agreement at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas on September 2, 2026. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright oversaw the signing of deals worth "tens of billions of dollars" between Venezuela and oil majors Chevron and ENI as well as with energy company GE Vernova on September 2, 2026.
Saudi Arabia Exits China-Backed Payment Platform Designed to Reduce Reliance on the Dollar
The local food market within the “China Market” in Addis Ababa where Chinese migrants shop for vegetables and meat. Photo by Yu Jiatong. Key Takeaways The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) completed its mBridge proof of concept and quietly wi Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project? Independent The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.
China, Taiwan and the Somaliland Question
China’s engagement across Africa is increasingly shaped by both high-level geopolitics and competition in everyday markets. Somalia’s renewed ties with Beijing are being driven in part by the Somaliland question, particularly its growing relationship with Taiwan. At the same time, Chinese companies continue expanding their commercial footprint across the continent.
China, Taiwan and the Somaliland Question
Wadani party presidential candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Irro, speaks during a press conference on November 10, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Somaliland presidential election. The self-declared state of Somaliland is set to host a long-delayed presidential and legislative elections in November 13, 2024. (Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP) China’s engagement across Africa is increasingly shaped by both high-level geopolitics and competition in everyday markets.
Le ministre iranien des Affaires étrangères rencontre Wang Yi en Chine
Le ministre iranien des Affaires étrangères, Abbas Araghchi, s’est entretenu mercredi à Pékin avec son homologue chinois Wang Yi, selon la presse officielle chinoise. Il s’agit de sa deuxième visite depuis le début de la guerre menée par les États-Unis et Israël contre l’Iran. À l’instar du premier déplacement d’Araghchi en mai, ces entretiens précèdent un sommet entre le président américain Donald Trump et le président chinois Xi Jinping.
How Southeast Asia Sees the Future of Global Cooperation
(L-R) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet hold hands for a group photo during a welcome ceremony for the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cebu, central Philippines on May 8, 2026.
How One Woman Defined Africa for Millions of Chinese Readers
For generations of Chinese readers, Taiwanese writer Sanmao offered a rare window into Africa through her bestselling stories of life in the Western Sahara. But her accounts also carried colonial-era stereotypes, romanticized her role in the region, and included stories that historical evidence suggests were embellished or never happened. Sanmao’s legacy reveals a more complicated history of how Africa has been imagined in Chinese popular culture.
Want to Do Business With the Chinese? Here’s What You Need to Know
**CHINESE MAINLAND, HONG KONG, MACAU AND TAIWAN OUT**Domestic and international merchants visit, exchange, negotiate cooperation and select specialty products at the 9th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang, June 26, 2026. The Silk Road International Specialty Products Exhibition area draws large crowds.
Ruto’s Crackdown Puts Chinese Traders in Kenya on Edge
Screengrab from a video of Kenyan President William Ruto's speech to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) traders at the State House on September 2, 2026, when he called for foreign nationals operating in the informal economy to leave. Image via the Kenya State House. Key Takeaways President William Ruto calls for crackdown, explicitly singling out Chinese merchants and urging they close them, with a bill targeting foreign traders.
Pakistan Reveals New Chinese Air Defense System
Screenshot from a Pakistan Air Force video that revealed the acquisition of a Chinese-made HQ-17AE anti-drone defense system. Image via the Pakistan Air Force. Key Takeaways Pakistan Air Force released a partially AI-created video unveiling the Chinese-made Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project? Independent The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.
Can Latin America Resist U.S. Pressure to Distance Itself From China?
US President Donald Trump signs a proclamation at the "Shield of the Americas" Summit at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida, March 7, 2026. President Trump is hosting a dozen right-wing leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss issues facing the region, from organized crime to illegal immigration. The summit also aims to serve Washington by boosting US interests in the region and curbing those from foreign powers like China.
Is China Decolonizing African Media or Expanding Its Influence?
China Daily Africa Limited Director Wang Xiaodong and Radio Africa Group CEO Martin Khafafa at a signing ceremony at the main office on July 16, 2025 for a one-year editorial partnership with The Star newspaper. Image via The Star. China’s influence in Africa’s media landscape increasingly operates through content-sharing agreements, journalist training, paid placements, and support for local broadcasters.
China Is Building Influence in Latin America, Quietly
Qiu Xiaoqi, China's Special Representative for Latin America, completed a five-nation tour last week with stops in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia. Images via the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China’s influence in Latin America is increasingly being built through smaller, less visible deals rather than the headline-grabbing infrastructure projects that defined its engagement in the 2010s.
The Chinamaxxing Trend: Why It’s More Than Just a Meme
**CHINESE MAINLAND, HONG KONG, MACAU AND TAIWAN OUT**A smart robot from Zhisquare (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. mixes a drink for a woman at a bar in Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong, Aug 31, 2026. The robots are introduced to provide diverse intelligent services in the entertainment district. (Photo by stringer / cnsphoto / Imaginechina via AFP) China’s growing appeal in the Global South is increasingly being shaped by everyday commercial experiences, not just diplomacy or cultural exports.
How China Is Viewed Around the World
Public opinion toward China is improving across much of the world, especially in emerging economies across Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. At the same time, perceptions of the United States have weakened, particularly around its reliability and contribution to global peace and stability. Younger people are especially likely to view China positively, shaped increasingly by technology, consumer brands, social media, and infrastructure rather than Cold War-era narratives.
China Battles Blame and Misinformation After Deadly Himalayan Floods
A drone view shows mud covering buildings and property following a flash flood in Trishuli, Nuwakot district, Nepal, August 27, 2026. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar Key Takeaways A surge of unsubstantiated social media claims blamed China's Himalayan infrastructur Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project? Independent The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.
China Faces Blame Over Nepal Disaster in Heated Indian TV Clash
Key Takeaways On Indian TV, Victor Gao shouted with Republic TV host and guests over allegations China partly caused Xizang (Tibet) and Nepal landslides. Elsewhere, critics in the U.S. and Europe celebrated the clash, praising Indian media for holding China accountable. Beijing's reliance on Victor Gao and similar Wolf Warrior figures narrows perspective and fuels distrust toward China.
Xi Joins Putin and Modi for a Pivotal SCO Summit
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a signing ceremony following their talks in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, August 31, 2026. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev Key Takeaways Xi met Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Japarov, highlighting progress on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzb Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content. What is The China-Global South Project?
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