Geopolitics & Multipolarity~
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Canada-China trade dispute comes amid West’s paralysis of international trade governance
Policy complexity of Canada escalating the trade war with China In late August, Canada announced a 100 per cent surtax on electric vehicles manufactured in China, and a 25 per cent surtax on Chinese steel and aluminum products. The move was seen as a deeply hostile protectionist move, and an irresponsible and misinformed violation of… Continue reading
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China and West are driving in opposite directions on electric cars
Top German carmaker VW has reported a 26% year-to-date rise in fully-electric car sales in China—offset by a fall in sales, also of 26%, of the same products in the United States. Sales in Europe also fell, by 14%. The gap is widening, third quarter figures reveal. VW, maker of luxury brands Porsche and Audi,… Continue reading
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Ongoing US nuclear contamination of the Pacific Islands
Forget China: the U.S. is Its own worst enemy Pacific Island countries see U.S. treatment of the Marshall Islands as fundamentally unjust – not only in the past, but in the present – and it has severely damaged their perceptions of the United States. The United States is competing with China for influence and access in the… Continue reading
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China leads the world in green hydrogen
In 2022, China set a target of producing up to 200,000 tonnes (t) of “green hydrogen” per year by the end of 2025, to help achieve its “dual-carbon” goal. A Norway-based research company reports China is projected to “exceed that volume” by the end of 2024. In the article below Carbon Brief looks at China’s green hydrogen production… Continue reading
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China and Brazil uniquely positioned to lead on South-South climate cooperation
At a time when economic and geopolitical headwinds are making ambitious agreement on climate finance more difficult, China and Brazil are uniquely positioned to set a new course for international climate finance, given their ambitious leadership, robust international advocacy and clout with Global South countries. Dialogue Earth reports that a recent ministerial meeting on climate change… Continue reading
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Australia’s subserviance to US anti-China policy costs loss of ‘billions in green Chinese investment’
Australia has the potential to tap into billions of dollars of renewable energy investments from China but only if it changes foreign investment policies and its approach to the superpower nation. The think-tank Climate Energy Finance issued the predictions in its recent Green Capital Tsunami report, which found Chinese investment in Australia had fallen to a decades-long low despite… Continue reading
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China-Africa Alignment Weakens West’s Attempts to Impair Development of Global South
In this video Lena Petrova talks to Professor Anna Rosario Malindog-Uy. Based in Manila, she is an acknowledged geopolitical analyst who has written much on the issues of Global South development and the the geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea. She is a Senior Research Fellow of the Global Governance Institution (GGI), and a PhD candidate… Continue reading
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Sino-Vietnamese hydro-power project: green energy cooperation
Explore the Seo Chong Ho Hydropower Station – built as a testament to Sino-Vietnamese cooperation, this station illuminates not just the local grid but also the lives of communities it serves. The Seo Chong Ho Hydropower Project situated in Lào Cai province in the northwest region of the country bordering China’s Yunnan province, was Việt Nam’s first foreign-invested hydropower project.… Continue reading
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China’s decarbonization of aluminum and steel: what it means for renewable energy
China is pushing its steel and aluminum industries to adopt cleaner methods by incorporating them into its carbon emissions trading system (ETS). China’s recent move to include aluminum and steel in its ETS marks a pivotal moment for industries that depend on these materials, particularly renewable energy. Aluminum production in the United States is dropping… Continue reading
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China’s EV exports maintain upward trend
China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, even as the global market faces a temporary stagnation in demand. Last year, China’s EV exports surged by 70% compared to the previous year, reaching an impressive $34.1 billion. This growth is underscored by the domestic sales ratio of “new energy vehicles” (NEVs), which… Continue reading
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Malaysia’s new hydrogen-powered rapid transit vehicles roll off production line in China
The first two units of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) hydrogen vehicle for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project in Malaysia will be delivered to Kuching by the end of the year, according to the Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin. Lee noted that sustainability objectives were high on the list of… Continue reading
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China urges the US to maintain ‘stable policy’ on climate change
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi urged Washington not to let overbroad definitions of national security stand in the way of climate change cooperation as he met visiting US climate envoy John Podesta, who was in China for bi-lateral talks with his counterpart Liu Zhenmin, China’s special envoy for climate change. “Climate change dialogue and cooperation are… Continue reading
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China leads world in nuclear energy innovation
China is 10 to 15 years ahead of the US in ability to deploy fourth-generation nuclear reactors at scale, says major US think-tank. The US Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has published a report entitled “How Innovative Is China in Nuclear Power?” which says that China has become the world’s leading proponent of nuclear… Continue reading
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South Africa: Looking to build sustainable cities using China model
South Africa wants to build new cities to eradicate poverty, with theChinese model that uses a polycentric policy approach mooted as a possible blueprint off which to base this future plan. South Africa Deputy President Paul Mashatile said one of the lessons the country is learning from fellow BRICS member nations is that they have… Continue reading
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China No Longer Need to Subsidize EV Enterprises – Chinese expert
Zhang Weiwei is Professor of Political Science at Fudan University, China and Director of the China Institute of Fudan University. On July 13th, Thai media outlet The Standard aired a 40-minute English interview with renowned Chinese Professor Zhang Weiwei, conducted by famous Thai host Khun Veenarat. The interview garnered significant attention. Selected excerpts from the interview related… Continue reading
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Leading US scientist to move to China?
One of the world’s greatest living research scientists, retired Harvard University chemist and nanoscientist Professor Charles Lieber, is considering a move to China, according to the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post. In 2011, Professor Lieber was named the leading chemist in the world for the decade 2000–2010 based on the impact of his… Continue reading
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Impact of US-China Science Rivalry
The Scientific Cold War is real, and we’re all losing. New study reveals how US-China tensions are slowing global research. Many in the academia have voiced the concern that the counter-productive, politically-motivated investigations scrutinizing the cooperation between the world’s 2 major science powerhouses would eventually backfire and hamper the progress of science research. However, few… Continue reading
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How China is winning the Green Energy race
China’s perceived march towards global domination appears to be ruffling some feathers in the Western world, writes David Borlace on his program, Just Have a Think. He notes, China’s version of the industrial revolution has lifted hundreds of millions out of abject poverty, but it is still held up by some as the greatest modern sin… Continue reading
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Africa and China media call for end of Western silence on successful joint projects
“Join Hands in the Paths towards Modernization” was the theme of the 6th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation and China-Africa Think Tank High-Level Dialogue, held in Beijing. It may be ‘good politics’ for the West to spend big money badmouthing China, but the process ultimately harms the poor, said speakers at an Africa-China communications forum… Continue reading
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Palestine to be invited to 2024 BRICS Summit
According to media reports Palestine is expected to receive a formal invitation this month to attend the BRICS 2024 Summit. Russia is working towards the process to get the Middle Eastern nation to be a part of the summit. Russian news outlet TASS has quoted Palestine’s leader Mahmoud Abbas as stating “We have discussed BRICS. We have reached… Continue reading
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Venezuela offers BRICS countries access to its vast oil and gas reserves
International media, including Russia’s RT News, have reported that Venezuela could transfer the development rights to its vast oil and gas fields that are currently signed with American energy companies to entities from BRICS nations, President Nicolas Maduro warned on August 2, 2024 during a press conference in Caracas. With an estimated 303 billion barrels, Venezuela… Continue reading
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De-risking West’s critical minerals trade with China will cost $ billions and delay global energy transition
Securing copper supply: no China, no energy transition. Inefficiencies of shifting away from China for critical minerals would increase the cost of finished goods and delay the energy transition. The global shift toward clean energy and decarbonisation hinges significantly on copper. With the increasing demand for copper, Western efforts to secure critical minerals and reduce… Continue reading
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China lodges WTO complaint against EU electric vehicle tariffs
China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the European Union’s imposition of provisional additional tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) made in the Asian country. The EU last month slapped tariffs ranging from 17.4% to 37.6% on Chinese EV imports on top of existing 10% duties, claiming “unfair subsidization” of Chinese car manufacturers.… Continue reading
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China to build EU green vehicle factory in Italy
Following Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to China at the end of July 2024, the Italian government’s negotiation with China’s state-owned Dongfeng Motor Group to build a factory in Italy has entered into the final stages, according to Reuters. The investment would significantly strengthen the Italian car industry. Insiders revealed the Rome government will… Continue reading
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China leads global green patent race
SHIFT IN SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION LANDSCAPE China has emerged as the global front runner in green and low-carbon technology patents, marking a significant shift in the landscape of sustainable innovation. According to a July 28 2024 research report compiled by China’s top intellectual property regulator, Chinese patentees had a total of 101,000 green and low-carbon patent… Continue reading
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BRI – Largest Bangladesh Solar Project Connected to Grid
China takes the lead in driving Asia’s energy transformation. The Sirajganj photovoltaic (PV) power station, the largest solar power project under construction in Bangladesh, has been connected to the power grid, Power Construction Corp of China said on Saturday. It is an important step for Bangladesh in the development of renewable energy and also underscores… Continue reading
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China renewables benefit the world: International Energy Agency
The rapid growth of renewable energy in China is outpacing the pursuit of national carbon goals, significantly aiding the global shift toward green energy, experts said, noting that China’s advances in technology, manufacturing and installations are crucial in providing affordable power and combating climate change globally. Heymi Bahar, senior analyst at the International Energy Agency,… Continue reading
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Venezuelan President Maduro invited to BRICS leaders summit in Russia
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced on Friday that President Nicolas Maduro has been invited to the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to be held in Kazan, Russia, this October. Mideast Discourse reports that the Venezuelan Foreign Minister said on X that “President Vladimir Putin invited President Maduro to attend the leaders’ summit of the BRICS+ countries,”… Continue reading
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Tariffs on China’s green products undermine nature protection
French economist Professor Rémy Herrera argues imposing restrictions on the export of China’s green tech risks harm to the development of numerous ecological sectors. Continue reading
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Malaysia joining BRICS key strategic move for the bloc
Malaysian media outlet The Star reports that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed Malaysia submitted an application to Russia to join the BRICS intergovernmental organisation. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Anwar said Malaysia’s desire to join the BRICS organisation was the main topic of his discussion with visiting Russian Foreign Minister… Continue reading
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Italy, China sign three-year action plan
INCLUDES STRATEGIC INDUSTRIAL SECTORS SUCH AS ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND RENEWABLES “The two countries will participate in supercharged trade spanning electric vehicles to renewable energy.” Italy and China have signed a three-year action plan to implement past accords, to explore new forms of co-operation and to foster collaboration in sectors such as auto manufacturing. These moves… Continue reading
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New university rankings up-end world research: Chinese universities hold 6 of top 10 spots
” tens of thousands of scientific and engineering journals are omitted by Western university ranking systems, especially those not written in the English language.” The Leiden University Center for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) has posted new university rankings that add open-data sources to the traditional list of top journals, which were previously the standard.… Continue reading
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China-led bloc renews call for West to pay trillions in climate funds for poor nations
A bloc of developing countries has accused wealthy nations of a lack of transparency in their approach to climate financing while seeking to “dilute their legal obligations” to help poorer economies. A China-led bloc of four newly industrialised countries said rich countries needed to pay up “trillions of dollars” in climate finance, adding that developed… Continue reading
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China pledges to build energy cooperation with Russia
China hopes that the two sides will actively strengthen cooperation in renewable energy and energy technology innovation, and promote green and low-carbon energy transformation. Xinhua reports that Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said in talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak at the 21st meeting of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee, that China is… Continue reading
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China installing wind and solar equivalent of five large nuclear power stations per week
New figures show the pace of China’s clean energy transition is roughly the equivalent of installing five large-scale nuclear power plants worth of renewables every week. It’s installing at least 10 gigawatts of wind and solar generation capacity every fortnight. Tech Advocate reports: China, the world’s largest energy consumer, is making rapid strides in its… Continue reading