Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 14h

Indonesia and China are negotiating with China’s economic planner, the NDRC, to fix a funding shortfall at Whoosh, the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail.

China-Indonesia High-Speed Rail Debt: Danantara’s Two Options

Indonesia and China are negotiating with China’s economic planner, the NDRC, to fix a funding shortfall at Whoosh, the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail. The gap emerged after costs rose by about $1.2 b...

chinaglobalsouth.com

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 1d

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, praising the two countries' "friendly and cooperative relations", as Kim oversaw celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party, state media reported.

North Korea’s Kim Hails ‘Cooperative’ Ties With China at State Celebration

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, praising the two countries'

chinaglobalsouth.com

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 1d

The race for artificial intelligence supremacy is now global. As the United States and China compete to define the future of AI, their rivalry increasingly shapes how they engage with the rest of the world.

Digital Silk Road 2.0: How China Is Shaping Central Asia’s AI Ecosystem

The race for artificial intelligence supremacy is now global. As the United States and China compete to define the future of AI, their rivalry increasingly shapes how they engage with the rest of the ...

chinaglobalsouth.com

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 1d

The U.S. hit more than 50 entities tied to Iran’s oil exports—including Chinese refineries and a port—in its latest sanctions push. Washington says it’s dismantling Tehran’s “energy export machine.”

U.S. Expands Iran Sanctions, Targeting Chinese Firms Tied to Oil Shipments

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on dozens of people, companies and ships tied to Iran's oil sector, stepping up its campaign against a key revenue source for Tehran. The Treasury annou...

chinaglobalsouth.com

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 1d

Japan and the Philippines launched their first joint air drills under a new defense pact, coinciding with upcoming China-Malaysia naval exercises.

Japan, Philippines Inaugural Joint Exercises Begin as China Announces Plans for South China Sea Drills

Japan and the Philippines kicked off a five-day joint air force exercise this week on the central island of Cebu, marking the first time the two militaries have trained together since a Reciprocal Acc...

chinaglobalsouth.com

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 1d

Indonesia is negotiating with Chinese creditors to restructure $7.3B in Whoosh railway debt, mirroring Kenya’s recent yuan swap deal. tinyurl.com/8wnwv8y5

1 2

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 1d

China is undertaking a major oil stockpiling campaign, adding 169 million barrels to its reserves.

China Races to Stockpile Cheap Oil, Expanding Strategic Reserves Amid Global Tensions

China is in the midst of a massive oil stockpiling campaign that will add at least 169 million barrels of crude to its strategic reserves over the next year. So far, 37 million barrels of storage capa...

chinaglobalsouth.com

1

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 1d

The episode previewed Francisco Urdinez's forthcoming book, Economic Displacement: China and the End of US Primacy in Latin America, looking at how China’s rise (trade + finance) intersects with U.S. retrenchment in South America

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 2d

USAID matters, but not all LATAM countries qualify, and U.S. policy banks face lending barriers. Meanwhile, China gains weight across South America; Caribbean trade keeps U.S. numbers up. Is “primacy” now region-specific? 🇺🇸🇨🇳

1

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 2d

🧵Is U.S. Primacy in Latin America Ending? 🇺🇸➡️🇨🇳

Headline stats favor the U.S., yet on the ground, China’s footprint grows via trade, loans, and deals. Francisco Urdinez breaks down how Mexico fits in and China’s rise in South America.

🎧 Watch here 👉 tinyurl.com/d9nyrdju

1

Reposted by The China-Global South Project

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 2d

Kenya and China have agreed to restructure the East African country’s loan portfolio by converting an estimated $3.5 billion of outstanding debts from U.S. dollars into Chinese yuan.

4 6

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 2d

China’s People’s Liberation Army said it will conduct Aman Youyi-2025 with Malaysia near Malaysian waters of the South China Sea next week.

China to Hold Joint Drill with Malaysia as Japan–Philippines Drill Starts

China’s People’s Liberation Army said it will conduct Aman Youyi-2025 with Malaysia near Malaysian waters of the South China Sea next week. The joint drill focuses on “humanitarian assistance,” “disas...

chinaglobalsouth.com

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 2d

Chinese state media has increased environmental coverage in the South China Sea, showcasing conservation efforts near disputed areas.

China Uses Green Messaging to Bolster South China Sea Claims Amid Nature Preserve Push

There's been a noticeable increase in recent weeks in the number of environmentally themed news stories published by China's state-backed outlets Xinhua and CGTN, focused specifically on the South Chi...

chinaglobalsouth.com

1 2

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 2d

China is expanding its crude oil reserves with new storage sites scheduled for completion in 2025–2026.

China to Stockpile 169 Million Barrels of Oil by 2026, Southeast Asia Hubs Aid

China is expanding its crude oil reserves with new storage sites scheduled for completion in 2025–2026. The effort will be adding at least 169 million barrels of capacity across 11 locations, accordin...

chinaglobalsouth.com

2 2

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 2d

Kenya and China have agreed to restructure the East African country’s loan portfolio by converting an estimated $3.5 billion of outstanding debts from U.S. dollars into Chinese yuan.

4 6

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 2d

Kenya converts dollar loans to yuan, saving hundreds of millions while China avoids a haircut and boosts RMB use. Eric Olander maps the winners and ripple effects.

Watch the analysis - tinyurl.com/y7sv2jn6

2 7

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 3d

China’s low-priced electric cars are powering Southeast Asia’s EV surge, and Vietnam has emerged as the region’s No. 2 market year-to-date on company-reported figures, closing on Thailand’s lead.

Vietnam Now Second in Southeast Asia’s China-Led EV Market

China’s low-priced electric cars are powering Southeast Asia’s EV surge, and Vietnam has emerged as the region’s No. 2 market year-to-date on company-reported figures, closing on Thailand’s lead. The ...

chinaglobalsouth.com

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 3d

As COP30 nears, Trump and Xi’s climate visions clash amid deadly typhoons and rising emissions, exposing global hypocrisy and China’s cautious leadership in the climate fight.

Eye-Rolling Through the Apocalypse

November’s COP30 gathering in Belém, Brazil, marks three decades since COP1 in Berlin in 1995, and raises a sobering reminder of how deep we’ve sunk into a climate morass of our own making amid non-st...

chinaglobalsouth.com

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 3d

Chinese companies have built powerful political networks across Africa, while China and the West mirror each other’s corruption accusations. But as they trade blame, it’s African communities caught in the middle.

1 4

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 3d

Months after their brief May conflict, India and Pakistan are still disputing claims over downed fighter jets, in a narrative battle with major implications for China’s military industry and its global arms sales ambitions.

India and Pakistan Are Still Arguing Over How Many Chinese Fighter Jets Were Shot Down in Last May’s War

More than five months after India and Pakistan engaged in a brief military conflict in early May, the two countries are still squabbling over how many of each other's fighter jets they shot down. The ...

chinaglobalsouth.com

1

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 3d

China and Iran use a secret barter system to trade oil for infrastructure and goods, bypassing U.S. sanctions with the help of Sinosure’s insurance and a shadowy network.

New Insights Emerge About Iran’s Secretive (and Very Lucrative) Trade With China

It's been an open secret for years that China and Iran figured out some very creative ways to circumvent international sanctions to conduct billions of dollars in trade every year. Until now, though, ...

chinaglobalsouth.com

1

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 3d

How is China reshaping the economic landscape of Latin America? 🇨🇳🌎

Francisco Urdinez joins us on the latest podcast to discuss the economic shift and explore the future of the U.S.–China rivalry in the region.

🎧 Watch here 👉 tinyurl.com/d9nyrdju

1 4

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 4d

Chinese FDI in Vietnam ranked as the second source of newly licensed foreign projects in Vietnam in the first nine months of 2025, according to Vietnam’s National Statistics Office (NSO).

Chinese FDI in Vietnam Rises as Payouts Hit 5-Year High

Chinese FDI in Vietnam ranked as the second source of newly licensed foreign projects in Vietnam in the first nine months of 2025, according to Vietnam’s National Statistics Office (NSO). The country ...

chinaglobalsouth.com

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 4d

Kenya’s Astral Aviation launches direct cargo flights from China’s Hainan to Nairobi and Johannesburg, signaling Beijing’s bid to make Hainan a new trade hub for Africa.

New China-Africa Air Cargo Route From Hainan to Kenya, South Africa

The Kenyan cargo airline Astral Aviation launched new direct service between the southern Chinese island province of Hainan and Africa, with service to both Nairobi and Johannesburg. The first flight ...

chinaglobalsouth.com

1 1 1

The China-Global South Project @chinagsproject.bsky.social · 4d

Zambian views of China have rebounded slightly, but skepticism about its economic role remains high, reflecting complex public attitudes toward Chinese engagement in Africa.

Zambian Perceptions of China Rebound After Ten-Year Decline, Says Afrobarometer

Public opinion of China among Zambians rebounded for the first time last year after a decade of steadily falling, according to the findings of Afrobarometer's latest survey. While Zambians were more u...

chinaglobalsouth.com

1 2