Amid a slowing economy at home, more Chinese companies are now looking to invest abroad in search of higher returns. While there's been a lot of hope in recent years that some of that money would find its way to Africa and other less-developed regions, that's not happening. Instead, Chinese companies are investing in countries closer to home in Asia, according to Chim Lee, a China analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit. Chim joins Eric & Cobus from Beijing to discuss the latest trends in Chinese overseas FDI and why Chinese companies are focusing more attention on "de-risking" their investments. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject| @stadenesque | @eric_olander | @chimxlee Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth FOLLOW CAP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine عربي: www.akhbaralsin-africia.com | @AkhbarAlSinAfr JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CAP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CAP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Two years ago, China introduced a series of new so-called "green guidelines" that it hoped would promote more sustainable development abroad. But in Africa, according to a new research report, it appears those higher environmental, social, and governance (ESG) have been difficult to meet. Researchers from Boston University's Global Development Policy Center, the Fudan University Green Finance and Development Center, the South African Institute of International Affairs, and LSE IDEAS teamed up to examine ESG standards at five Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in Egypt, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Two of the scholars on that team, Cecilia Han Springer and Christoph Nedopil, join Cobus (who also contributed to the research) to discuss their findings and explain why Chinese companies continue to struggle to meet minimum ESG standards in Africa. SHOW NOTES: Read the full report: Elevating ESG: Empirical Lessons on Environmental, Social and Governance Implementation of Chinese Projects in Africa: https://bit.ly/46ZHL4d JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject| @stadenesque | @eric_olander | @nedopil | @han_cecilia Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth FOLLOW CAP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine عربي: www.akhbaralsin-africia.com | @AkhbarAlSinAfr JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CAP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CAP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Henry Sanderson, an executive editor at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, joins the podcast to discuss China's dominance in the EV battery metal supply chain. They talk about recent mining deals in countries like Chile, Morocco, and Zimbabwe, and the implications for G7 countries. The podcast also explores the challenges of reducing US reliance on China for battery production and discusses the dynamics between Western and Chinese sectors in Africa.

Michael Pettis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, discusses how China's changing economy will impact the world. They cover topics such as China's weakened economy post-pandemic, the challenges faced by developing countries, the role of the RMB, China's manufacturing sector, and the negative nature of social media reactions to China's projects.

The podcast discusses the evolving dynamics of China's presence in Latin America, including their involvement in infrastructure projects, the perspectives of Latin American countries on the US-China relationship, the significance of the Monroe Doctrine, concerns and potential of the Belt and Road Initiative in the region, and the complexities of China's involvement in Zimbabwe and the Americas.

The Chinese economy is in trouble. Exports, manufacturing output, and investment are all down. Unemployment, particularly among young people is up. Provincial debt is now at a record $8 trillion while a burgeoning property crisis has eliminated a once reliable source of revenue for local governments. The financial difficulties that China is now experiencing have direct implications on dozens, if not hundreds of developing countries around the world that have come to rely on Chinese demand to bolster their own economies. Lizzi Li, an economist and reporter at the Chinese language television network Wall Street TV, joins Eric & Cobus from New York to discuss what's behind the economic slowdown in China and why it's critical that policymakers and other stakeholders in the Global South learn quickly how to adapt to the new economic realities that are taking shape. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject| @stadenesque | @eric_olander | @wstv_lizzi Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth FOLLOW CAP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine عربي: www.akhbaralsin-africia.com | @AkhbarAlSinAfr JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CAP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CAP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Examining the souring relationship between China and India, including conflicting narratives, new tariffs, crackdown on Chinese tech companies, expulsion of journalists, and militarization of the border. China perceives India as aligning with the West. Tensions arise from border infrastructure and territorial claims. India's loyalty to its ties with Russia and Western powers making grand announcements but taking little action are also discussed.

Chinese investment in Cambodia, particularly in the gambling sector, has led to an increase in criminal activities. The challenges of regulating Chinese companies in Cambodia and concerns about the impacts of the gambling network are discussed. The importance of competent negotiators, effective governance, and China literacy in obtaining favorable outcomes in Belt and Road Initiative projects is highlighted. The complexities of Chinese investment and challenges of weak governance are explored, as well as the perceptions and challenges of the Belt and Road Initiative. The lack of specifics and financing surrounding climate solutions is also discussed.

The podcast discusses the failure of G20 countries to agree on renewable energy capacity, China's contradictory actions on climate change, and challenges in global climate diplomacy. It also explores the Republican Party's stance on climate change, coal reduction progress, and upcoming opportunities and events.

China's Belt and Road Initiative is not dead, but has shifted towards smaller initiatives related to technology, renewable energy, and connectivity. Chinese creditors are now focusing on financing green energy projects. The podcast discusses the challenges faced by the BRI, discrepancies in carbon usage, China's influence on infrastructure development in Africa, and China's expansion in global supply chains and investment in Africa.