The China in Africa Podcast

Kenyan President William Ruto wrapped up a four-day visit to China on Friday and returned home with a massive new railway deal and more than a billion dollars of investment pledges. Ruto's successful closing of the Phase III extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to the Ugandan border comes after nearly a decade of Kenyan lobbying in China. Also, this week, Eric & Géraud are at the Salzburg Global Forum in Austria, where they joined a diverse group of civil society stakeholders from across Africa to participate in a lively week-long conference on centering an African vision for a new multilateral future. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @christiangeraud Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP 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 CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Freeman Chiwele Mubanga, a Zambian environmental researcher, and Obert Bore, a Transitional Minerals Editor at CGSP, dive into the aftermath of a catastrophic tailings dam collapse at a Chinese-owned mine in Zambia. They discuss the spill’s alarming release of acid waste into the Kafue River, which impacts millions. The conversation highlights the urgent need for accountability from both the Zambian government and the mining company, reflecting broader concerns about China’s environmental track record and the necessity for sustainable governance in Africa's resource sector.

Ray Powell, Director of the Sea Light Initiative at Stanford, and Edwin Shri Bimo, CGSP's Southeast Asia Editor, unpack the complexities of the South China Sea tensions. They discuss the recent near-collision incidents between the Philippines and China and how this strains regional dynamics. The conversation highlights the Philippines' military upgrades and U.S. commitment to its defense, contrasting with America’s stance on other allies. They also examine Indonesia's role in the territorial disputes and the historical context shaping these geopolitical anxieties.

Jérôme Nima, CGSP Africa editor and expert in energy transition, dives into Kenya's burgeoning ties with China. He discusses Kenyan President Ruto's upcoming state visit to Beijing, aimed at finalizing crucial funding for the Standard Gauge Railway extension to Uganda. The conversation also highlights the ongoing cobalt production in the DRC despite export bans and examines the U.S. military's concerns over China's expanding influence in Africa. Nima offers insights into the balancing act of geopolitical interests shaping the continent's future.

Agatha Kratz, a Partner at Rhodium Group specializing in corporate advisory and Chinese trade policy, and Juliana Bouchot, a Senior Analyst with expertise in Chinese supply chains, dive deep into the complexities of global supply chains amidst rising U.S.-China tensions. They discuss the impact of tariffs on inflation and consumer behavior while exploring whether countries like Vietnam and India can effectively absorb China's manufacturing output. The conversation reveals how traditional supply chains are evolving and the potential shifts in the international trade landscape.

U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on Monday that he will not back down from his massive tariff campaign that he launched last week and even promised to impose even higher duties on Chinese goods in response to Beijing's 34% tariff retaliation on U.S. imported goods. Kyle Chan, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University and author of the High Capacity Substack, joins Eric & Cobus to discuss the impact of the escalating world trade war on developing countries and how China is responding by shifting more manufacturing to the Global South. Show Notes: High Capacity: Beijing braces for impact: What Trump 2.0 might mean for US-China relations by Kyle Chan High Capacity: China is trying to reshape global supply chains by Kyle Chan High Capacity: Chinese semiconductors and alternative paths to innovation by Kyle Chan JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @kyleichan | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP 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 CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

In this insightful discussion, Veda Vaidyanathan, an expert on China-Africa relations, sheds light on India's ambitious critical minerals strategy aimed at fostering green energy. India seeks to establish partnerships with African nations, contrasting its approach with China's dominance in the sector. Vaidyanathan emphasizes the importance of local agency, skill development, and overcoming challenges posed by established players like China. The conversation also touches on India's rising role in cobalt and copper exploration while navigating the complex landscape of global geopolitics.

Khang Vu, a visiting scholar at Boston College and expert on Vietnamese politics, discusses contrasting strategies of Vietnam and the Philippines in dealing with China’s territorial claims. While the Philippines seeks U.S. support, Vietnam opts for a solo approach, even expanding its presence in the South China Sea through island reclamation. Vu highlights how these tactics reflect broader lessons on managing great power rivalries, emphasizing the complexities smaller nations face in navigating geopolitical dynamics.

In a deep dive into South Africa's trade landscape, Marvellous Ngundu, a research consultant at the Institute for Security Studies, reveals the stark realities behind the booming trade with China. Although trade soared past $52 billion, South Africa's trade deficit with China has ballooned to nearly $10 billion. Ngundu discusses the critical need for strategic policy changes to balance this relationship, emphasizing the importance of enhancing local production and maximizing Africa's resource value amid the growing influence of Chinese imports.

A catastrophic acid spill from a Chinese copper mine has devastated Zambia's Kafue River, threatening public health and local ecosystems. The discussion covers the political fallout and the essential role of accountability for mining companies. Additionally, a $1.4 billion Chinese investment to refurbish the TAZARA railway is analyzed, exploring its implications for regional logistics and U.S.-China relations. The complexities of cobalt and mineral resource management in the Democratic Republic of Congo also highlight the broader geopolitical chess game at play.