Over the last twenty years, China emerged as a key development partner to Africa. Via the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) China’s massive infrastructure-focused connectivity program, Chinese finance and contracting transformed skylines in many African cities. Now China is expanding its platforms for global cooperation via the Global Security Initiative (aimed at building security alliances outside of Western-led coalitions) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
The GDI foregrounds cooperation with the United Nations, as well as with the Global South. By October 2022, more than 100 countries and international organizations have expressed their support for the GDI, and 68 countries have formally joined the Friends of the Global Development Initiative group. The GDI positions China as a new norm-setter in the development space. Together with Beijing’s current challenges to some of the customs of multilateral development finance, the GDI signals significant China-driven changes to development finance.
But how will these changes affect the developing world?
Speakers:
The discussion is hosted and facilitated by Bongiwe Tutu, Project Coordinator of the Africa-China Reporting Project, and Dr. Cobus van Staden, Co-founder of the China Global South Project.
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 17 May 2023.
The Africa-China Reporting Project, in collaboration with the China Global South Project, invite journalists, researchers and media professionals to watch the capacity building informative workshop on China 101: Knowledge Building for African journalists.
China’s engagement in Africa is undergoing profound change. The era of generous Chinese infrastructure financing for largescale infrastructure projects across the continent has given way to a new focus on austerity and feasibility.
Both sides are now diversifying their relationships with Africa looking to the Persian Gulf, Southeast Asia and other regions for new markets and investment while China shifts its attention closer to home amid heightened tensions with the United States.
These shifts are happening with much speed, though, that it is difficult for African journalists, scholars, content creators and other observers to keep up. This online workshop will provide an in-depth briefing for African media professionals on the current trends in China, a background on the recent political changes in China’s leadership and how all of this impacts relations with African countries.
The workshop is hosted by Bongiwe Tutu, Project Coordinator of the Africa-China Reporting Project, and by Eric Olander, co-founder and editor in chief of The China-Global South Project and podcast. In discussion we are joined by one of the world’s leading China observers, Kaiser Kuo, co-founder of the popular Sinica Podcast and editor-at-large of The China Project.
The Workshop discussion includes:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 20 March 2023.
After two decades of active engagement on the continent, China's presence in Africa is changing, evolving, and adapting to its domestic needs, African realities, and the current international context. From massive investment in large infrastructure projects, China is gradually moving away to new models of less risky financing to avoid the reimbursement challenges that many countries are facing today - And no, it is not the "debt trap".
Amid this constantly changing international environment where does Africa fit in China’s global strategy? How media and journalists on the continent should approach and understand China’s engagement in Africa today. How their understanding of these issues impacts their coverage of China in Africa? The Africa-China Reporting Project, in collaboration with the China-Global South Project, held a capacity building informative training workshop for journalists, researchers and media professionals on China 101: Knowledge Building for African journalists
The workshop is led by Christian-Géraud Neema, French-speaking editor of The China-Global South Project ( www.projetafriquechine.com ) and host of the Afrikchine podcast .
The workshop covers:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 13 March 2023.
The Africa-China Reporting Project, in collaboration with the Boston University Global Development Policy (GDP) Center held a capacity building informative Webinar for journalists, researchers and professionals on interpreting data and accessing data sources of China’s engagements in Africa and globally.
The Boston University Global Development Policy (GDP) Center manages a suite of five interactive public databases that collectively track hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investment to a variety of sectors, including energy and other infrastructure development. The Center manages and updates these databases in a bid to provide transparent information to aid research, education, policymaking, journalism and accountability with regards to China’s overseas development finance and projects around the world. Publishing this data has helped journalists analyze trends and work to understand China’s overseas economic activities. As a resource, these data projects can help stakeholders discover more about China’s overseas lending in an interactive and engaging way.
The Webinar assesses the status of China’s overseas lending, showcases how reporters can use data to analyze the impacts of Chinese development projects and tell unique stories. And what spatial analysis of Chinese development projects reveals about impacts on sensitive territories. Furthermore in the discussion, GDP Center researchers demonstrate how to use the following databases and share key findings from the latest updates.
The panellists included:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 08 March 2023.
The Africa-China Reporting Project, held in collaboration with China Dialogue; the Journalists Training Workshop on Africa-China Relations and the Climate Crisis. Earlier this year, within the collaboration with China Dialogue, the Africa-China Reporting Project awarded reporting grants to journalists to investigate issues related to the China-Africa relationship and the climate crisis to explore topics around:
It was from the call for reporting grants proposals that the purposeful need of this Workshop was realized; which is to provide further support and capacity building for journalists and professionals investigating, reporting and researching how China’s engagement in Africa is playing out on the ground and in the context of the climate crisis.
The panellists included:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 27 July 2022.
Ma Tianjie presented the complexities of China, Africa and the climate crisis, exploring the new trends and shifting narratives which affect the complex dynamics. According to the Beijing Editor, China is undergoing tectonic shifts and changes which are essential to understand when reporting on China's economy. The Chinese economy is changing and not growing as fast as it should. It is provided that China is experiencing slow economic growth, which is impacting a plateauing energy demand and a more cautious overseas investment.
Tianjie further presents China's shifted priorities, focusing more on development and developing economies, quality projects, and the environment and ecology, and presents the complexities of the three different layers of players in China, who shape policies and engagements that impact on China's relations, as it is a non-monolithic entity. The three layers are; Chinese central government; Chinese provincial and local government; and Chinese companies (state owned and private companies and central, provincially and locally owned companies). He provides that all the different entities have different incentives and shape China's overseas projects and behaviors. Recent examples of the complexities, such as President Xi Jinpin's announcement at the UN in September 2021, to halt the building of new coal power projects overseas. The meaning of the halt was received differently by several actors as to the details and implications of the announcement.
Particularly as there were already existing coal power projects in operation, with others still under agreement phases. The fine details later emerged, after Central government policy makers scrambled to hash out policy details. The financial sector was the first mover and enforcer of the halt, and state-owned enterprises fell in line more quickly than private firms.
Tianjie presents the complexities which remained with private companies particularly that were still invested in building coal power plants in parts of Africa. Further examples of the complex relations are presented such as the concept of the Green Belt and Road initiative which is in principle language, and the important role of journalists in reporting these stories, identifying loopholes and reporting the impacts on the ground, were presented and discussed.
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 27 July 2022.
Geraud Neema presented the climate crisis in Africa and the role Africa is playing, and its relations with China within the energy transition. Despite that Africa has contributed less CO2 emissions than other entities in the world, notably the United States, Japan, China, and Europe, and accounts for less than 6% of global energy consumption and 2% of cumulative global emissions, Africa remains most vulnerable to the climate change and the energy transition. Africa is disproportionately experiencing the negative effects of climate change, including water stress, reduced food production, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and lower economic growth.
Several countries in East Africa have been impacted by flooding, including; South Sudan, Central African Republic, Uganda, DR Congo, Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi. Climate change amplifies the instability in Africa, particularly in the Sahel, Sudan, Congo and Mozambique. Within the Africa energy crisis, the continent also has potential for renewable energies such as geothermal, wind and solar energy, furthermore within the mining resources of lithium and cobalt. Neema presents the opportunities that exist within each of the notable African countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, DRC and South Africa. And the challenges which exist that inhibit several African countries from their potentials.
The challenges include low funding and financing of renewable projects in Africa, lack of bankable projects, regulatory and policy barriers, poorly structured and packaged projects, an enabling environment and good governance. Neema further presents tips for reporting and resources for journalists when investigating and researching on these issues. The tips for journalists include; understanding China's global stance and position on climate change energy transition, understanding China's internal situation on climate change, understanding Africa's energy needs, challenges and opportunities in the energy transition, understanding the geopolitics of the energy transition, understanding the African and Chinese actors in the energy transition in Africa; technical and financial actors, and understanding China's energy financing and approaches.
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 27 July 2022.
Li Shuo presented the overview and expectations of COP27; the UN Climate Summit, which will be taking place in Egypt, Africa in November this year. That COP27 will be one of the most important international events within the climate discussions and climate diplomacy, particularly as it is taking place under African leadership. Shuo held that the most important thing when looking at the UN climate negotiations, it is important to understand that the negotiations are undergoing transitions in terms of ambitions and implementation; what countries should do within their climate targets. Increasingly, countries' domestic climate actions will be as important as the international negotiations.
Furthermore, the COP27 will see a number of important issues to be addressed. According to Shuo, two pairs of imbalance have come as a result the previous climate summits. The first imbalance is that which lies between the issues of mitigation and adaptation; to reduce emissions versus how to adopt and respond to the impacts of climate change. The second imbalance is that which lies between ambition and climate finance. Shuo held that COP27 will address these two pairs of imbalance by advancing three important issues, namely; climate finance, climate adaptation, and loss and damage. Noting historical lessons from climate finance, Shuo refers to the largely unfulfilled promise by industrialized countries, who in 2009, pledged to provide at least US$ 100 billion to developing countries by 2020. And so it is the role of COP27 to urge countries to the fulfilment of their commitments.
COP27 will thereby address the quantity and quality of climate finance; to better balance financing that goes into mitigation and adaptation; and to look at how we can strengthen and enhance the share of rights in international climate finance. The issue of climate adaptation has long been neglected versus that of mitigation. According to Shuo the issue of adaption is much more diffused, and difficult to attract finance, and highly regional or national specific. However, it can be hoped that the African COP can address these difficulties accordingly, as a key issue that will be discussed in COP27 is a future global goal for adaption.
The third issue of loss and damage has been a highly political and politicized issue which is also gaining momentum, as it brings to question of the compensation for the climate crisis impacts to loss and damages, and if compensation should exist whether it should come from rich countries to vulnerable countries. Shuo further reflects on the politics around COP27, analyzing the tensions between the North and the South, EU-China engagements, the US's Build Back Better Bill, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Russia-Ukraine war. The Policy Advisor also presents what we can look forward to from China in the COP27 and its significant role.
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 27 July 2022.
Paula Fray presented tools to writing and pitching a good reporting proposal, highlighting the art of a good proposal, getting the basics right, finding the stand out elements, avoiding common mistakes and pitching to the editor. She noted that writing a good proposal is like telling a good story; that it needs to have a targeted audience, be well researched, written logically, clearly presented and meet the deadlines.
Furthermore, the proposal stages were highlighted from submissions it was emphasized that journalists read carefully the application requirements to submit. That the journalists remember that the information presented is wholistic and relevant, written for understanding and with context. That journalists needed to remember that proposals are reviewed by a panel which could be from various parts of the world. "The Africa-China Reporting Project requires reporting proposals submitted to be relevant and focused, and to be detailed and thorough", said Paula, adding that it is important to present clear proposal that are not 'cut and paste' but rather directly linked and focused to each specifications of a call for proposals.
The importance of providing on-the-ground perspectives and human interest stories was also highlighted. Paula provided all practical insight and tools to writing an effective and impactful reporting proposal, and outlined the vast topics and story proposals with potential within climate reporting which remain untold. She said; "There’s a need for us over the next couple of months to make sure that COP27 is not the COP that’s based in an African country, but that it is a COP that really acts as a platform for a conversation about climate, driven by Africa, bringing across African perspectives".
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 27 July 2022.
The Africa-China Reporting Project in partnership with Inkyfada, held the North Africa-China Journalism Online Training Workshop for journalists in Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and Morocco, 5-6 July 2022. The journalists were awarded reporting grants to investigate North Africa-China relations.
This resourceful two-day workshop contributes to the important work of bridging the gap, not only in the linguistic reportage of China’s engagement with Africa, but also in equipping journalists with the necessary skills and information as they continue to develop their investigative stories.
The panel of the first day of the training workshop included:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 5 July 2022.
Lina Benabdallah, Assistant Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA unpacks the history of North Africa-China relations with reference to the individual countries in the region, presenting an overview of economic, security and cultural relations.
The presentation includes:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 5 July 2022.
Paula Fray, Chief executive officer at Fray College and Owner of Frayintermedia, and Desmond Latham, Chief executive officer at Frayintermedia provide essential proposal writing tools, review the published features of the North Africa journalists, giving editorial feedback and substantive analysis of their story development.
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 5 July 2022.
The Africa-China Reporting Project in partnership with Inkyfada, held the North Africa-China Journalism Online Training Workshop for journalists in Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and Morocco, 5-6 July 2022. The journalists were awarded reporting grants to investigate North Africa-China relations.
This resourceful two-day workshop contributes to the important work of bridging the gap, not only in the linguistic reportage of China’s engagement with Africa, but also in equipping journalists with the necessary skills and information as they continue to develop their investigative stories.
The panel of the second day of the training workshop included:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 6 July 2022.
Cobus van Staden, Co-founder of China-Global South Project, unpacks the context of China’s world view and the perspective towards Global South countries, denouncing some myths and assumptions, and presenting resources for journalists and researchers working on Africa-China relations.
The presentation includes:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 6 July 2022.
Malek Khadhraoui, Executive Director at Al Khatt and publishing director of Inkyfada presents the significance of using investigative journalism techniques, provides guidelines to good editorial practices and important safety rules.
The presentation includes:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 6 July 2022.
Journalists around the globe are increasingly being targeted, experience surveillance and cyber-attacks, limitations to press freedom and often detained and killed for their work. Ghaith Hammadi, Developer and Expert at Inkyfada provides knowledge and expertise to the essential digital safety rules and tools, how to ensure secure communications, risk analysis and threat mitigation.
The presentation includes:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 6 July 2022.
Geraud Neema, Francophone Editor at China-Global South Project, presents the Francophone-China reporting overview and analysis, understandings from the first engagements between Chinese and French communities, to the evolving landscape of French-Chinese media coverage, the inter-related linkages between geopolitics, perceptions and agenda setting, and Chinese business cooperation and investments on the African continent.
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 6 July 2022.
Dr. Cliff Mboya (Africa Editor, China-Africa Project) leads a discussion with three Chinese journalists, as they table down their extensive experiences working in Africa and covering Africa-China relations. Featuring: Liam Lee (Takungpao), Shen Shiwei (China Global Television Network) and Wang Wenwen (Global Times)
Ground breaking stories covered by the three Chinese Journalists includes of:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 18 August 2021.
Eric Olander of ACRP partner the China Africa Project leads this discussion with four African journalists: Lilian Mukoche (Kenya), Justice Nwafor (Nigeria); Isidore Abah (Cameroon), and Nina Mitch (DRC) as they uncover their recent COVID-19 reporting and how the pandemic has affected Africa-China relations.
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 14 July 2021.
Journalist Jenni Marsh (Supervising producer, CNN International) shares her wide knowledge and experience reporting on China in Africa and discusses how to challenge stereotypes about China through Africa-China reporting with practical guidance and tips for journalists. Jenni talks through her reporting, focusing on the African community in Guangzhou and how to avoid falling into popular stereotypes.
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 21 April 2021
Covid-19 vaccination and nationalism is one of the major news stories of 2021. What impact is it having on Africa-China relations? And how are journalists covering the story?
Eric Olander of ACRP partner the China Africa Project leads a discussion with two African and two Chinese journalists on the dynamics of reporting in various countries and by governments on the framing and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. Featuring Liam Lee (Chief International Desk Correspondent at Ta Kung Pao Daily), Hangwei Li (PhD Candidate at SOAS University of London), Dickens Olewe (BBC journalist and podcaster), and Uwagbale Edward-Ekpu (Contributor at Quartz).
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 12 May 2021.
In a joint webinar with the African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS), Dr. Bob Wekesa leads a discussion with five African scholars to table down the Africa-China-US Relations. The webinar discusses key issues including what will change and what will stay the same for Africa-China-US relations under the Biden administration, new opportunities and challenges for African countries, and what journalists need to be aware of to cover this developing story.
The panelists includes the following:
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 31 March 2021.
Media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic has played a crucial role across the globe providing practical information, holding government accountable, requiring responsible behaviour from citizens and influencing perceptions. This webinar unpacked the implications of different narratives in media coverage of the pandemic, particularly in the context of Africa-China relations; assessed the role of journalists in reporting on the pandemic; and considered tools for reporting and fact-checking. Hosted by Eric Olander, host of the China Africa Project and Podcast, and featuring Jeremy Goldkorn, editor-in-chief and podcast host, SupChina; Professor Zhang Yanqiu, Deputy Dean of the Institute of Community with Shared Future and Director of the Africa Communication Research Centre at the Communications University of China; and Oluwamayowa Tijani, COVID19 fact checker at AFP Fact Check.
This webinar was originally broadcast on 3 June 2020 as part of Wits Journalism’s #MidweekWebinars series.
The ACRP aims to improve the quality of reporting on Africa-China issues by providing facilitation and capacity building for journalists via reporting grants, workshops and other opportunities. In March 2020 the ACRP sent out a call for Public Health Reporting Grant Proposals to uncover stories developing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing impact in Africa. With over 300 applications received, the ACRP invited all applicants and other interested journalists to participate in a free online training webinar on preparing a good proposal. By using the large body of Public Health Reporting Grant Proposals, this webinar assists ACRP applicants and all journalists with developing their skills of preparing winning journalism proposals. With Paula Fray (CEO, Frayintermedia).
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 22 July 2020.
The ACRP aims to improve the quality of reporting on Africa-China issues by providing facilitation and capacity building for journalists via reporting grants, workshops and other opportunities. In March 2020 the ACRP sent out a call for Public Health Reporting Grant Proposals to uncover stories developing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing impact in Africa. With over 300 applications received, the ACRP invited all applicants and other interested journalists to participate in a free online training webinar on preparing a good proposal. By using the large body of Public Health Reporting Grant Proposals, this webinar assists ACRP applicants and all journalists with developing their skills of preparing winning journalism proposals. With Paula Fray (CEO, Frayintermedia).
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 22 July 2020.
Gone is the investigative reporter as a lone ranger, meeting in dark alleys with sources to get bits and pieces of information, like a private detective with a notebook. The modern version needs to be digitally-savvy, work across borders and learn how to process a mass of data. But some things don’t change, like managing sources and protecting yourself. This session will trace these changes and what they mean for those who do this work.
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 19 August 2020.
With Anton Harber (Caxton Professor of Journalism [Adjunct], Wits Journalism).
Within the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, media coverage has played a crucial role in providing practical and credible information while influencing perceptions on the spreading of the virus. Mass media channels and social media have become the primary sources of information, while also being used as sources for fake news and disinformation. This has contributed to the creation of a surgical ‘infodemic’ worldwide and an overabundance of information, some accurate and some not. Hosted by Eric Olander, host of the China Africa Project and Podcast, and featuring Aisha Abdool Karim, health reporter at Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism (South Africa); Elizabeth Merab, health reporter at Daily Nation (Kenya); April Zhu, freelance journalist (China-Kenya); and Nike Adebowale, health journalist at Premium Times (Nigeria).
This webinar was originally broadcast by the ACRP on 9 September 2020.