China will extend zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with diplomatic ties from Friday, in what Beijing called a “significant measure” to deepen China-Africa trade and investment ties.
  • Sharkticon@lemmy.zip
    12·
    10 days ago

    United States is destroying all their soft power and China’s just quietly slipping into the vacuum. Astounding

  • Sepia@mander.xyz
    2·
    10 days ago

    Yeah, the exemption is Eswatini over its ties to Taiwan.

    Zambia’s government, on the other hand, has special ties to China (but they should grow a spine).

    Advocacy group Access Now says major human rights conference was canceled after Chinese pressure on Zambia

    … Access Now said in a statement ​that the 2026 edition of RightsCon - a long-running conference ​devoted to digital rights due to kick off in ⁠the Zambian capital of Lusaka on Tuesday - was canceled after ​Chinese diplomats pressured Zambia’s government over the presence of Taiwanese ​civil society figures due to attend the conference …

    … The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately return messages seeking comment. Calls rang unanswered at ​the Zambian Embassy in Washington …

    Edit: Oh, and btw, African countries have a huge and increasing trade deficit with China as Chinese companies increasingly control Africa’s commodities while selling back high-end products to the continent. It’s basically mercantilism with Chinese characteristics as usual.