Zimbabwean president welcomes investment from China, saying it offers his country ‘milestones towards industrialisation’.

Kenyan President William Ruto said during his campaign he would not go ‘anywhere near restructuring debt’, but his transport secretary nominee says current terms are not favourable and the country is ‘choked by loans’.

An election promise by new president, William Ruto, to free companies from using the rail link could reduce its revenues.

The continent isn’t prominently discussed in the new US national security strategy, but military analysts say it is increasing in significance as a theatre of operations.

Analysts say Beijing’s reticence is part of a larger cutback on funding of costly and risky projects in Africa.

Beijing increasingly intervenes to protect its people, investments and interests in the region, causing observers to question whether its policy of non-interference still stands.

High-level bilateral talks involving senior Ministry of Public Security official and Congolese deputy prime minister underscore high stakes.

The China National Offshore Oil Corporation is a major player in Ugandan oil exploration and owns a big stake in the oilfields and pipeline project.

China now dominates the import and processing of many of these resources, exposing the United States and allies to strategic vulnerabilities.

Tokyo’s commitment to international standards on infrastructure financing and its support of good governance and democratic principles provides African nations with a tempting alternative to China’s deeper pockets, analysts said.

Aisha Huang will face charges of illegally trading in minerals next month, 4 years after she was barred from re-entering the country.

China says it has outperformed other G20 members in helping the world’s poorer nations deal with the impact of the coronavirus, but a lack of transparency has made it difficult to assess the level of support, analysts said.

Analyst says future shortages of battery metals may raise cost of electric vehicles, or curb production, ‘as we’ve seen with the semiconductor shortage’.

During visits to Eritrea, Djibouti and Sudan this month, Xue Bing has emphasised the role development can play in resolving regional conflicts.

Dozens of countries may be burdened with debt-servicing problems, lower growth and underinvestment, top adviser Brent Neiman warns.

Experts say China’s military engagement with African countries has become more complex and extensive as it deepens ties and expands influence with developing nations.

SUVs made by the likes of Chery and Haval are now outselling established brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The issue is likely to set a precedent for other indebted nations and Beijing has historically been reluctant to see its commercial lenders take outright loses.

During his election campaign, William Ruto blamed China’s lending for his nation’s debt troubles but has now flagged an expansion in Kenya-China relations.

Beijing announced it would waive 23 interest-free loans maturing by late 2021 for Africa but did not give details of countries or the amount waived.

African leaders have expressed their disappointment at the lack of interest and apparent snubs from their European counterparts.

Angola has borrowed US$42.6 billion from Chinese lenders, much secured with oil as collateral but President Joao Lourenco has said such loans are not working.

Astronauts on Tiangong space station chat with students from eight African nations at event showcasing China’s advances in space science and soft power play.

Nine of the poorest countries on the continent will not pay duties on 98 per cent of their exports to China as a result of the measure.

Japan, which began developmental programmes in the 1990s, has been eclipsed in recent years by China, now Africa’s leading trade partner.

Liu Yuxi, the former head of mission of China to the African Union, succeeds Xu Jinghu, who had been in the post since 2016.