President Xi Jinping - The African Mirror

Mar

2024

Dutch PM downplays conflict over ASML after meeting with China’s Xi

DUTCH Prime Minister Mark Rutte downplayed conflict between the Netherlands and China over restrictions on the export of equipment made by Dutch firm ASML following a meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Earlier this year, the Dutch government began denying licences for ASML to export advanced "DUV" tool lines to China, joining a U.S. effort to curb chip exports to the world's second-biggest economy. Now in doubt is whether The Hague will allow ASML to continue servicing the billions of euros worth of advanced equipment it has already sold to Chinese customers that now falls under export restrictions when current licences…

Mar

2024

By JOE CASH

China’s Xi willing to work with Angola as it moves on from oil

NEWS

CHINESE President Xi Jinping said he would support Chinese firms that invest in Angola's agriculture and manufacturing sectors, state media reported on Friday, as the African oil-producing nation seeks help in diversifying its economy. "The Chinese side is willing to work with Angola to implement key infrastructure projects and support strong Chinese companies to go to Angola to carry out various forms of cooperation," Xi told visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Lourenco's visit follows Angola's announcement in December it would leave producer group the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and agreements with…

Nov

2023

By LIZ LEE and XIAOYU YIN

China cremates ‘people’s’ premier, lowers national flag amidst outpouring of grief

WORLD

CHINA lowered the national flag in Beijing's Tiananmen Square amid an outpouring of online grief as the country cremated Li Keqiang, known as "the people's premier" for his down-to-earth, hands-on leadership. Li, a former economist and pro-reform leader who served as premier for 10 years before retiring in March, died of a heart attack in Shanghai last Friday. He was 68. At Li's funeral at a Beijing cemetery where high-ranking officials and national heroes are laid to rest, President Xi Jinping and his wife, with the six other members of the Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee, the highest rung of political power…

May

2023

By The African Mirror

Hawkers back on China’s streets as economic recovery teeters

WORLD

WANG Chunxiang pushes a cart around busy areas of Shanghai, playing cat and mouse with the authorities as she tries to sell pastries. The jobs she could get do not pay enough for her to make ends meet. "Salaries are too low," said the 43-year-old, after serving a customer steamed sweet rice cakes from a wok. "At my age, without much knowledge, I could only earn 5,000 to 6,000 yuan ($868) per month as a cleaning lady. Shanghai rent is so expensive. Even low-quality homes are 2,000-3,000 yuan," said Wang, who recently resumed hawking after a six-year break. She can…

Jan

2023

By The African Mirror

Chinese workers on Africa’s infrastructure projects: the link with host political regimes

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

CHINA has rapidly become Africa’s most important infrastructure builder, and the footprint of Chinese construction companies is seen in cities, towns and villages across the continent. With the launch of Beijing’s “Go Global” policy in 2000, and President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, the volume of roads, bridges, railways, power stations and other infrastructure built by China has increased markedly. The number of overseas contracts signed by Chinese companies more than doubled from just under 6,000 in 2004 to almost 12,000 in 2019. Authors PIPPA MORGAN, Lecturer, Political Science, Duke Kunshan University ANDREA GHISELLI, Assistant Professor, School…

Dec

2022

By The African Mirror

China’s COVID spike not due to lifting of restrictions, WHO director says

WORLD

EMMA FARGE COVID-19 infections were exploding in China well before the government's decision to abandon its strict "zero-COVID" policy, a World Health Organization director said, quashing suggestions that the sudden reversal caused a spike in cases. The comments by the WHO's emergencies director Mike Ryan came as he warned of the need to ramp up vaccinations in the world's No. 2 economy. Speaking at a briefing with media, he said the virus was spreading "intensively" in the nation long before the lifting of restrictions. "There's a narrative at the moment that China lifted the restrictions and all of a sudden the disease…

Apr

2022

By The African Mirror

A job fair for a joint China-SA future

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

CHEN XIAODONG PRESIDENT Xi Jinping observed that jobs are the most fundamental livelihood projects. Jobs are key to social stability. COVID-19 brought a major impact on the world economy, as well as South Africa’s economy. The unemployment rate here remains high. President Cyril Ramaphosa attaches great importance to jobs. He always makes job creation a priority of the government. The South African President also actively launched an employment stimulus plan. As a good brother, friend and partner of South Africa, when we work with South Africa against COVID, we also actively support your economic recovery. At the same time, Chinese…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

The Communist Party claims to have brought prosperity and equality to China. Here’s the real impact of its rule

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

THE Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is in full swing to prepare for the 100th anniversary of its founding this week, with an intense publicity push to crow about its achievements. CHONGYI FENG, Associate Professor in China Studies, University of Technology Sydney However, the CCP has little to celebrate in terms of what it has done for China. Its chief achievement has been how it has managed to survive and stay in power for so long. So, what exactly does the CCP lay claim to, and where does the truth lie? 1. Chinese sovereignty The top claim on the list is…