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News18
an hour ago
- News18
China exploits Africa as testing ground for its global security agenda
Washington DC [US], August 8 (ANI): Launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2022, the Global Security Initiative (GSI) represents a significant effort by China to reshape global governance and establish a favourable environment for its resurgence as a Great Power, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies the GSI is publicly framed around themes of cooperative security, non-interference, and respect for the United Nations Charter, messages that resonate strongly across Africa and the developing world, its foundations lie firmly within Chinese concepts of national security. According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the GSI Concept Paper issued in 2023 must be understood alongside China's 2025 White Paper on National Security, which outlines four pillars: political (regime) security as the foundation, economic security as the base, military and social security as the guarantee, and international security as initiative is evolving from vague principles into tangible policies. At the Ninth Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September 2024, Xi described the FOCAC 2025-2027 Action Plan as an 'example of early GSI implementation," underlining the integration of Chinese security strategy into Africa. Between late 2024 and mid-2025, eight high-level military exchanges took place, including a training event in Nanjing for 90 early-career African officers from 40 countries hosted by the People's Liberation Africa Center for Strategic Studies highlights how the GSI's incorporation into China-Africa relations carries direct implications for security cooperation. The FOCAC Action Plan targets training 6,000 senior and 500 early-career African officers, alongside 1,000 police officers by 2027, aligning with China's broader push to mainstream the perspectives on the GSI are mixed. While some governments welcome enhanced access to economic aid, infrastructure financing, and affordable security equipment, others raise concerns about the risks tied to China's emphasis on absolute ruling party control over 'national security work." Africa's fraught history with authoritarian regimes informs fears that Chinese security models could undermine democratic civil-military relations and entrench party supremacy over the the Africa Center for Strategic Studies warns that GSI-related security ties risk drawing African countries into global geopolitical rivalries, especially as countering Western influence is central to GSI narratives. This threatens Africa's traditional commitment to GSI is part of a broader Chinese agenda alongside the Global Development Initiative and the Global Civilizational Initiative, all designed to challenge Western-led global norms. The GSI's six core principles — including respect for sovereignty, abiding by the UN Charter, and promoting cooperative security — are carefully crafted to appeal to developing countries but mask China's strategic interests, such as defending territorial claims and prioritizing regime growing military and law enforcement cooperation with African countries, such as joint operations, training programs, and security agreements protecting Belt and Road investments, demonstrates how the GSI is operationalised on the continent. Roughly 40 African countries now have ties with Chinese police institutions, highlighting the deepening of China's security to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, African leaders and civil society must critically assess these developments. 'The opportunities will depend on whether African countries can exert greater agency," said security expert Lungani Hlongwa. Local stakeholders are urged to set agendas that reflect genuine security needs and ensure cooperation does not undermine democratic norms or citizen the GSI continues to unfold globally, its impact on African security governance and international alignments will remain a crucial area for scrutiny and debate. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies calls for greater transparency and domestic engagement in shaping security cooperation with China to safeguard African sovereignty and democratic values. (ANI)
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Rolls-Royce Nears Deal to Offload Its £4 Billion UK Pension Pot
Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc is nearing a deal to offload its UK pension pot to an insurer, a move that would take almost £4 billion in liabilities off the aircraft engine maker's balance sheet. The biggest UK manufacturer may announce a deal with pension buyout firm Pension Insurance Corp. as soon as this month, according to people familiar with the negotiations. Talks could still be delayed or fall apart, said the people, asking not be identified discussing private information. Representatives for Rolls-Royce and PIC declined to comment. Rolls-Royce has about 21,000 employees in the UK, out of a global workforce of 50,000 that make aircraft engines for Airbus SE and Boeing Co. as well as products from power systems to marine propulsion. Under Chief Executive Officer Tufan Erginbilgic, who joined from BP Plc at the start of 2023, the shares have enjoyed a record performance as he streamlines the business and the company benefits from surging demand for engines like the Trent XWB model powering the Airbus A350. According to Rolls-Royce's annual report for 2024, the UK defined-benefit pension had obligations of £3.96 billion and assets of £4.74 billion. The UK's pension buyout market, where firms pay insurers to take on their financial obligations to pensioners, has been booming in recent years as higher interest rates reduced the value of plans' liabilities. The improved funding levels have made buyouts more affordable and led many large British companies from pharmacy chain Boots to insurer RSA and lender NatWest Group Plc to offload these liabilities to focus on their core businesses. Demand for such risk-transfers is expected to reach £500 billion through 2033, according to consulting firm LCP. A buyout of Rolls-Royce's pension would be the largest UK risk-transfer so far this year. Earlier this week, Phoenix Group's Standard Life completed a £1.9 billion transaction for a part of insurance broker Marsh McLennan's UK pension. The deals have also become a hot corner of the insurance market. Last month, an insurer backed by Apollo Global Management Inc. agreed to buy PIC for about £5.7 billion from owners including a vehicle controlled by South African billionaire Johann Rupert, a unit of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and CVC Capital Partners Plc. With assistance from Kate Duffy and Anthony Palazzo. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Print
3 hours ago
- The Print
Yugen Infra ropes in Gary Kirsten for cricket-themed villas, sports facilities in school
'We have partnered with Gary Kirsten to develop 30 exclusive Cricket-Front Villas,' Yugen Infra MD Sheeshram Yadav told reporters here on Wednesday. Gurugram-based Yugen Infra will also develop an international school integrated with sports facilities managed by Kirsten. New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) Realty firm Yugen Infra has roped in South African cricketer Gary Kirsten to develop a 10-acre cricket-themed villa project near Goa. Kirsten will also helps us in creating sports facilities, primarily cricket and chess, at the international school, he added. Yadav said the total investment on this villa project and school would be around Rs 180 crore. Commenting on the tie-up, Kirsten said, 'India has a very strong sporting culture.' Through this tie-up, he said, the aim is to integrate school education with sports coaching. 'The intention is development of sports within the school… we have got some decent experience around the model used in South Africa in the holistic development of a child, and hoping to kind of replicate that,' Kirsten said. Kirsten, who was coach of Indian cricket team that won 2011 World Cup, said this is a new phase in his life. The school and villa project are part of 500-acre township 'Yugen Golf City, which is located on Goa and Maharashtra border. PTI MJH HVA This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
