36 h. ago Despite Starmer’s ‘China threat’ rhetoric, Britain seeks tighter Beijing ties

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called China a security threat this week, but analysts said the statement was motivated by domestic politics and did not negate London’s goal of deepening economic ties with Beijing. Meanwhile, disputes around a new Chinese embassy will continue to test this desire for stronger relations as the British leader plans a state visit. Starmer said on Monday that his government would focus on the relationship with China, which would help protect national interests,...

Events

4 d. ago US wipes South Africa’s G20 website clean for 2026 Trump summit

US President Donald Trump on Monday launched the US presidency of the Group of 20 by wiping clean the website of outgoing host South Africa, which he is not inviting to next year’s summit. The G20 website now simply has a picture of Trump in black and white that says “Miami 2026” and “The Best Is Yet to Come”, the title of the song popularised by Frank Sinatra. Trump refused all US attendance at last month’s G20 summit in Johannesburg, denouncing the post-apartheid government’s treatment of the...

Politics

4 d. ago South African bank becomes first African bank to plug into China’s cross

South African bank becomes first African bank to plug into China’s cross-border payment system  Business Insider Africa

Politics

5 d. ago Ramaphosa dismisses Trump’s threat to bar South Africa from 2026 G20 summit

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed on Sunday US President Donald Trump’s threat to exclude Pretoria from next year’s Group of 20 summit, reaffirming South Africa’s status as a founding member of the group. Washington boycotted the G20 meeting held under South Africa’s presidency in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23, with Trump repeating allegations, widely discredited, that the host country’s black-majority government persecutes its white minority. Trump said last Wednesday that...

Politics

6 d. ago China set to benefit as South Africa looks to diversify away from US

South Africa is looking to new export markets in Asia – particularly China – and Europe to diversify away from the United States, as its relations with Washington rapidly deteriorate. America boycotted last weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg after Washington accused Pretoria of persecuting Afrikaner farmers, labelling the situation “white genocide” – a claim the South African government strongly denies. On Wednesday the situation escalated, with US President Donald Trump saying...

Politics

7 d. ago Zuma’s daughter quits South African parliament amid Russian mercenary scandal

A daughter of South Africa’s ex-president Jacob Zuma has resigned from parliament after claims she was involved in recruiting men to join Russian mercenaries in the Ukraine war, her party said on Friday. Police last week said they were investigating allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, an MP in her father’s Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, had lured 17 South African men to Russia “to fight in the Ukrainian war without their knowledge or consent”. The presidency said in early November it had...

Politics

8 d. ago At African Studies Gathering, Critiques of China Grow Louder And More African

At African Studies Gathering, Critiques of China Grow Louder And More African  The China-Global South Project

Events

9 d. ago Trump says he’s barring South Africa from next year’s G20 summit in Miami

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was barring South Africa from taking part in the Group of 20 summit next year in Miami and will “stop all payments and subsidies” to the country over its treatment of an American government representative at this year’s global meeting. Trump chose not to have a US delegation attend the recent summit hosted by South Africa, saying he did so because white Afrikaners were being violently persecuted. It is a claim that South Africa, which was mired...

Politics

9 d. ago Trump barring South Africa from next year’s G20 summit in Miami

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was barring South Africa from taking part in the Group of 20 summit next year in Miami and will “stop all payments and subsidies” to the country over its treatment of an American government representative at this year’s global meeting. Trump chose not to have a US delegation attend the recent summit hosted by South Africa, saying he did so because white Afrikaners were being violently persecuted. It is a claim that South Africa, which was mired...

Politics

1 week ago US must build on Global South’s G20 momentum, not undermine it

As South Africa hands over the Group of 20 presidency, something more consequential than a routine rotation is taking place. The moment marks the end of an unprecedented cycle: four consecutive presidencies led by major economies of the Global South – Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa. For four years, the G20 was steered by countries whose development priorities, demographic structures and geopolitical positions diverged from those of the Group of Seven. In 2026, the gavel will pass to...

Politics

1 week ago Why next year’s G20 could be make or break for global development

As South Africa hands over the Group of 20 presidency, something more consequential than a routine rotation is taking place. The moment marks the end of an unprecedented cycle: four consecutive presidencies led by major economies of the Global South – Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa. For four years, the G20 was steered by countries whose development priorities, demographic structures and geopolitical positions diverged from those of the Group of Seven. In 2026, the gavel will pass to...

Politics

1 week ago Trump may attend Apec in China next year, US treasury chief says

US Treasury Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that Trump may travel to China in November 2026 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, one of four possible in-person meetings between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2026. Speaking on CNBC shortly before US markets opened, Bessent said the US and China will always be natural rivals, but their relationship is currently in a good place. Addressing a central concern for Trump and his team – rising inflation and the...

Politics

1 week ago How China Uses Parliamentary Buildings to Build Influence in Africa

How China Uses Parliamentary Buildings to Build Influence in Africa  The China-Global South Project

Politics

1 week ago Starmer met Premier Li Qiang at G20 in South Africa amid Beijing visit rumours

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit last week amid speculation that he could visit Beijing early next year and the country’s controversial embassy in London will be approved. The two leaders are understood to have greeted each other only briefly during a “brush-by” rather than holding formal bilateral talks, after which a readout covering what was discussed would usually be expected from Starmer’s office. China was represented by Premier Li...

Politics

1 week ago Trump to visit China in April after ‘very good’ call with Xi

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he will visit China in April at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping following a phone conversation between the two leaders that also covered Taiwan, Ukraine and bilateral relations. “Our relationship with China is extremely strong!” Trump said on social media following the Monday morning call, a follow-up to their “highly successful” meeting in South Korea on October 30. “Since then, there has been significant progress on both sides in keeping...

Politics

1 week ago China pledges $3.49M to support HIV prevention efforts in South Africa

China pledges $3.49M to support HIV prevention efforts in South Africa  Anadolu Ajansı

Politics

1 week ago Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for China goods surges

Alibaba Group Holding’s logistics arm, Cainiao, has expanded its parcel delivery service to eight African countries – including Morocco, Ghana and Nigeria – as it races to give Chinese e-commerce merchants a cheaper, more reliable way to reach the fast-growing continent. The company planned to extend the service to South Africa and Egypt by the end of December, Cainiao said in a statement over the weekend. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. Cainiao said underdeveloped logistics...

Politics

1 week ago Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for Chinese goods surges

Alibaba Group Holding’s logistics arm, Cainiao, has expanded its parcel delivery service to eight African countries – including Morocco, Ghana and Nigeria – as it races to give Chinese e-commerce merchants a cheaper, more reliable way to reach the fast-growing continent. The company planned to extend the service to South Africa and Egypt by the end of December, Cainiao said in a statement over the weekend. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. Cainiao said underdeveloped logistics...

Politics

1 week ago Premier Li: China pledges to deepen cooperation with South Africa

Premier Li: China pledges to deepen cooperation with South Africa  ecns.cn

Politics

1 week ago South Africa police investigate claims Zuma’s daughter in Russia recruit scheme

South African police are investigating claims that a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma was involved in recruiting men to join Russian mercenaries in the Ukraine war, they said on Sunday. The allegations against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, an MP in her father’s MK political party, were made by one of her sisters in an affidavit asking for a formal investigation, police said. It claimed Zuma-Sambudla and two other people were involved in recruiting 17 South Africans whom the presidency said this...

Events