The 16th sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) concluded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 14 December 2024. Centred around the theme Our Land Our Future, the conference adopted 39 resolutions addressing drought response, scientific innovation, dust storms, and future budgeting after 13 days of deliberations. These efforts have set a new blueprint for combating desertification and land degradation worldwide, opening a fresh chapter in global cooperation.  Notably, the conference…

Gertrude Nyathi walks calmly into Zimbabwe’s Mahusekwa Hospital for antenatal care in Mashonaland, where she is expected to give birth in the next five months.  In a country where medical facilities are obsolete, patients flock to seek medical care at the Chinese-aided hospital, seen by many as a game changer in Marondera district.   “Before this hospital was built, pregnant women had to travel long distances to go to Harare for antenatal services and some even gave birth on the way.…

Humming factories, bustling ports, and shuttling merchants highlight the vibrancy of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Over the years, this partnership has grown significantly, optimising trade structures and fostering mutual development. This deepening collaboration is evident in China’s role as Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner for 15 consecutive years.  During the first seven months of 2024, trade between China and African countries reached $167 billion, reflecting a 5.5-percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. According to the International…

Riding along Xiamen’s Xinglin Bay Marine Bicycle Lane feels like gliding between the sea and sky. This 2.6-km-long pathway, built above the sea, links two sides of the bay.  Every weekend, the lane, situated along the coastline in Xiamen’s Jimei District, transforms into a hotspot for visitors. Among them is Theogene Habumugisha, a Rwandan living in Xiamen.  “This is my favourite scenic spot in Xiamen. My friends and I often come here to ride. The scenery is delightful, the air…

A shortage of courtrooms has long been a challenge in Malawi, especially since more judges were hired to help to streamline the country’s judicial process. Yet, while the current judiciary is headquartered in the country’s second-largest city of Blantyre, due to a lack of work space; some sections of the judiciary are located elsewhere, such as the juvenile, commercial and industrial courts.  So, when the decision came to move the court headquarters to the capital city of Lilongwe, the issue…

The economic clout of developing countries is rising amid tectonic shifts in global affairs. This trend has led to discussions on the sustainable development of the Global South and calls for greater participation by developing countries in global governance. Following the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in September, which set new ground for China-Africa cooperation, the 2024 China International Import Expo (CIIE) – another major event – held from 5 to 10 November, continued to…

In the village of Kilwa Masoko located some 300 km southeast of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s capital, fishing is a lifeline of locals as it is not only a source of food, but also a source of income.  As wads of Tanzanian shilling exchange hands among fish famers and traders, the latter jostle to procure as much as possible of the limited amount of fish that is auctioned at Kilwa District’s old harbour.  The fish trade is big business, a…

The fourth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China contains a comprehensive record of the impressive practices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Xi Jinping at its core in responding to the changes and challenges unseen in a century, and rallying and leading the whole Party and the Chinese people towards the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.   This volume is designed not only to help officials and the public to better understand and apply Xi…

The BRICS group was established in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2011. On 1 January 2024, Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joined the group. In the same year, Russia hosted the Kazan Summit, where these countries participated as full members for the first time. One of the main topics was the creation of a new BRICS investment platform using modern electronic tools. The Role of the NDB In Financing BRICS…

Climate change is a pressing challenge that humanity faces at present. As a participant, contributor and trailblazer in global ecological conservation, China is committed to implementing multilateralism and fostering a fair system of global environmental governance.  With abundant resources and a large population, Africa, the second-largest continent, faces significant challenges in addressing climate change and protecting the environment due to limited socio-economic development and technological infrastructure.  With the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development, China’s ongoing efforts…