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Published 1st July 2013

Vol 6 (AAC) No 9

Equatorial Guinea

Obiang loves China

Image courtesy of Panos Pictures
Image courtesy of Panos Pictures

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Billions in non-transparent contracts have gone to Chinese companies and the opposition claims that Beijing is supporting the regime’s oppressive tactics

China stands accused of cooperating with the government of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to limit civil rights in Equatorial Guinea and to suppress the political opposition. After protests in mid-May, it is no longer possible to access social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook. Opposition sources told Africa-Asia Confidential that Chinese technicians are behind the blocking of those and other sites critical of government. Graver still, an opposition member told AAC that the regime had used Chinese police officers to stop demonstrations by the opposition ahead of the 26 May legislative and local elections.

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Chinese contractors’ delight

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Multiple major contracts are handed out but the details of the deals remain obscure

China Dalian International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group (CDIG) is the primary beneficiary of the close ties between Beijing and Malabo. With no debate about costs or transparency,...

Help for the East

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With European security support to be reduced in 2015, Kinshasa is counting on China and India to help the UN mission and Congolese troops

India and China are offering to help President Joseph Kabila’s government secure its eastern borders following a series of bilateral meetings in June in Kinshasa. These offers follow...

Human rights abuses in Katanga

Amnesty International publishes a damning report on the results of mining operations in Congo-Kinshasa

‘Mining operations in the DRC have resulted in decades of abuse against artisanal miners and the neighbouring communities,’ according to Audrey Gaughran, Director of Global Issues at Amnesty...

Spotlight on Queensway Group

China International Fund's former parent company, Dayuan International Development, is ordered by a judge to hand over its books to a former director

A high-profile Hong Kong court case could reveal more details about the business dealings of the secretive China International Fund and China Sonangol. Nicknamed the ‘88 Queensway Group’...

Pipeline and transparency protests

The details of contracts signed during President Xi Jinping's March visit – and their implications – are still filtering through

Major Chinese investments, such as the new US$10 billion port to be built north of Dar es Salaam in Bagamoyo, are raising concerns amongst both the opposition and...

Africa's bidding war

Tokyo used its conference to show that Japan's aid and its private sector can compete with China and India in Africa

At the Fifth Tokyo International Conference for African Development, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government pledged ¥3.2 trillion (US$32 billion) in public and private funds for African growth over...

Seoul says no to youth export

South Korea ends speculation on the matter and begins to investigate Yoon Choong-sup, the man behind the plan

South Korea is adamant that it did not and will not authorise the arrival of some 100,000 young Malawian workers, as announced by President Joyce Banda and her...

Miners out but no funds in

Accra-Beijing relations are tested by growing concerns about illegal gold mining and a slowdown in finance for the Chinese-built gas plant

Ghana’s expulsion of some 200 Chinese accused of involvement in illegal gold mining and more delays in disbursements from the China Development Bank for the gas plant in...

Tax troubles but business buoyant

Despite the legal actions and environmental problems, relations between the governments of Gabon and China are still strong

Punitive action against a Chinese oil company following a tax dispute has not undercut Libreville-Beijing ties. Although the government revoked Sinopec-owned Addax Petroleum’s oil permit in Obangue in...

Pointers

Jullapong Nonsrichai

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thailand

Jullapong Nonsrichai attended the Tokyo International Conference on African Development on 1-3 June, where he declared that Thailand is ready to increase its involvement in Africa and called...

R. V. Kanoria

Former President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Businessman R. V. Kanoria, the former President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, led a 21-member delegation to Morocco on 27-31 May, to attend...

Han Fang

President, Shanghai Chamber of Commerce in South Africa

Chinese entrepreneur Han Fang, new President of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce in South Africa, moved to the country two decades ago and has since established a business...

Hoàng Bình Quân

Head of National External Relations Committee, Communist Party of Vietnam

Vietnamese politician Hoàng Bình Quân, who heads the National External Relations Committee, led a Communist Party delegation to Morocco, Tanzania, South Africa and Swaziland on 1-12 June to...

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