New Yalu River Bridge : China-North Korea Conflicts Hidden Beneath the River
By a North Korean Diplomat Defector (Anonymity)
Located on the border between China and North Korea, the New Yalu River Bridge has been completed for over 10 years, yet it remains unopened and abandoned.
However, since last February, a customs building has been constructed on the North Korean side, and construction and maintenance of the surrounding infrastructure have been underway, indicating movement towards its opening.
This change implies more than just the resumption of trade.
The construction of the New Yalu River Bridge was a project led by China under the pretext of expanding China-North Korea trade. When China first proposed building the bridge in 2006, North Korea turned down the proposal due to a lack of actual domestic demand as well as concerns about China's potential military use of the bridge, specifically a possible large-scale Chinese military advance into the North in the event of a contingency.
In 2010, China once again proposed to not only build the bridge but also to fully support the construction of overall infrastructure on the North Korean side including customs facilities, roads, and railways at no cost. This time, Kim Jong-il accepted the deal outright, intending to use it as a showcase for his achievements.
The construction of the bridge was completed in 2014, but China did not keep its promise regarding the infrastructure investment for North Korea, citing budget overruns as the reason.
In 2015, North Korea selected the infrastructure construction in this area as one of the '100 construction targets' and attempted to attract private investment from China to complete the construction, but it fell through due to China's uncooperative stance. As a result, the New Yalu River Bridge has remained a symbol of the lack of trust between China and North Korea, unable to fulfill its intended function for over a decade.
Given this background, what do the recent construction works imply? While they could be interpreted as a signal for the restoration of the strained China-North Korea relations, resulting from the North's closer alignment with Russia, behind them lies the sharp strategic intent of both sides.
First, China will aim to regain its strategic influence over North Korea and promote the stabilization of its northern region.
Rumors that China is funding the construction costs of the customs facilities on the North Korean side currently underway support this assessment. On the other hand, North Korea's primary goal will likely be securing economic benefits through expanded trade with China, based on its confidence in its advanced nuclear and missile capabilities.
In fact, the relationship between the two countries, despite its outward appearance of a 'blood alliance,' is marked by a history of distrust and containment.
When China established diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1992, North Korea felt an intense sense of betrayal, and Kim Jong-il was so enraged that he even ordered to review the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Also, during the Arduous March in the North in the mid-1990s, China, contrary to North Korea's expectations of economic support, deployed elite troops of the People's Liberation Army to the border region. This not only represented a simple economic disregard, but also deepened political and military distrust between the two.
Even under the Kim Jong-un regime, North Korea has been openly expressing anti-Chinese sentiment, referring to China as 'the Chinese' in a derogatory manner in internal documents.
This reveals a deep-seated structural distrust that goes beyond mere emotional outbursts. China, too, has long viewed North Korea not as a strategic partner, but as a subject for 'management' and 'control,' perceiving it as a potential risk factor.
Recently, North Korea has been expanding its political, military, and economic ties with Russia, effectively reinforcing its shift away from China in its foreign policy.
On top of that, the possibility of a US-North Korea summit being discussed adds to China's concern, making it believe that uncertainty is growing in the China-North Korea border.
If North Korea were to break free from China's sphere of influence through improved relations with the US, the China-North Korea border could become a structural vulnerability for China's security. Amid escalating military tensions regarding Taiwan, the uncertainty in the northern region poses a risk that China cannot afford to bear.
In this context, the recent movements around the New Yalu River Bridge may be China's strategic move that even takes into account the possibility of its physical intervention in North Korea.
This bridge is not just a simple logistics infrastructure, but a 'strategic penetration asset' that could be used as a pathway for establishing a pro-China regime in Pyongyang or deploying direct military force in the event of a contingency such as the collapse of the Kim Jong-un regime.
The reason why this bridge has not been used until now may also be due to China's management of it as a 'strategic reserve asset' rather than a regular trade route. Ultimately, the resumption of infrastructure construction on the North Korean side of the New Yalu River Bridge is not just a signal for the resumption of trade. While the construction is apparently being led by North Korea, it is highly likely to reflect China's intention to reorganize its complex relationship with North Korea, and reinforce its strategic influence over Pyongyang behind the scenes.
North Korea has deliberately delayed the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge since the early stages of discussion, aware and fearful of China's hidden intentions. However, recent trends seem to indicate Kim Jong-un's confidence in maintaining the regime based on nuclear power, as well as the urgency of resolving economic difficulties. If the New Yalu River Bridge is opened in the future, we must all pay close attention to how it will be used over time.
read more
2 Most Inspirational Green Projects in Egypt
AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT to Strive over Viewership Tonight
Egypt Marks 70th Anniv. of 2011 Revolution, National Police Day
In Depth: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc
In Depth: AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT Tuesday Viewership Strive
Videos & Features
WATCH: Egyptians Break Ramadan Fasts in Matariya
Videos & Features
GrEEk Campus Hosts Jobzella Fifth Career Fair
Videos & Features
3 Iconic Ramadan Songs of All Times
Videos & Features
Top 4 Destinations to Visit in Upper Egypt
News
Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers
Lifestyle
Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe
News
Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia
News
Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content
Arts & Culture
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Sports
Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
News
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Arts & Culture
New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Business
Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
4 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
China, Africa push implementation of FOCAC Beijing Summit outcomes
SEENEWS (Xinhua) Representatives of China, 53 African countries and the African Union Commission gathered in Changsha on Wednesday to advance the full implementation of the outcomes achieved at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). At the opening ceremony of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the FOCAC, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his counterpart of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso read out the congratulatory letters from their heads of state. The Republic of the Congo is the African co-chair of the FOCAC. Chinese President Xi Jinping expounded in the letter the significance of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation and announced important measures for further opening up and cooperation with Africa, which Wang said provide important guidance for both sides as they seek to jointly promote modernization and build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. The FOCAC has grown rapidly in the 25 years since its establishment, leading China-Africa relations to achieve leapfrog development and enter the best period in history. Both sides have made solid progress in the implementation of the 10 partnership actions for modernization announced at the FOCAC Beijing Summit held last September, according to Wang. China and Africa, as the largest developing country and the continent with the highest concentration of developing countries, are emerging as pivotal forces of the Global South, Wang said. "Faced with an international situation marked by changes and turmoil, China and Africa should uphold solidarity and self-reliance more than ever," he said, calling on both sides to respond to uncertainties in the world with a stable and resilient China-Africa relationship. Both sides should preserve solidarity of the Global South, champion international free trade, support global development cooperation, defend a just international order and promote civilizational diversity, he said. Wang said the 21st century is as much Asia's century as it is Africa's, adding that as long as the more than 2.8 billion people of China and Africa work together, they will surely achieve brilliant progress in the path to modernization. On behalf of the African countries, Gakosso said African countries thank China for supporting their development, welcome the 10 partnership actions for modernization, and support the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035. He added that the African countries are willing to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit to help the African people realize their aspiration for a better life. The African side opposes the act of abusing tariffs and unilateral sanctions and will stand with China to jointly deal with challenges, Gakosso said. The meeting issued China-Africa Changsha Declaration On Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
See - Sada Elbalad
4 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
"Beijing Summit: China-Africa Cooperation Outcomes"
SEENEWS Press Release In September 2024, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held, opening a new chapter of China and Africa building an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era. President Xi Jinping and leaders from the African side jointly charted the future of China-Africa relations, and put forward a six-point proposition on China and Africa's joint pursuit of modernization and ten partnership actions China will take with Africa for modernization. The world today is increasingly marked by changes and turbulence. The United States is abusing tariffs in the name of 'reciprocity,' putting its self-interest above the common good of the international community. What the U.S. has been doing severely infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, severely disrupts the global economic order, and causes tremendous difficulties to the economic and social development and improvement of people's livelihoods of African nations and other developing countries. Faced with common challenges, China and Africa have enhanced solidarity and coordination and followed on the strategic common understandings between the leaders of both sides with firm actions to deepen political mutual trust. The two sides have maintained policy communication through high-level exchanges. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the 38th African Union Summit. Leaders of China have visited Africa for multiple times. For 35 years in a row, the Chinese foreign minister visited Africa on the first overseas trip at the start of a year. Delegations from Africa, including the one led by Kenyan President William Ruto, paid official visits to China. China and Africa have rendered each other stronger support in safeguarding the shared interests of the Global South and defending international fairness and justice, and been steadfast in backing each other's efforts to safeguard sovereignty, security, and development interests. China and Africa have been working together to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. Both sides defend the U.N.-centered international system, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. And both sides actively participate in and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system. China supports South Africa in hosting the G20 Johannesburg Summit, supports the African Union in playing an important role in the G20, and supports Nigeria and Uganda in becoming BRICS partner countries. China and Africa have stepped up coordination in turning the strategic common understandings between the leaders of both sides into strong momentum for China-Africa high-quality cooperation, providing solid and reliable support and drive for Africa's modernization. China had in-depth communication with the Republic of the Congo, the African co-chair of FOCAC, and extensive consultations with African countries, and jointly made a timetable and roadmap for the implementation of the follow-up actions after the Summit. Since the Summit, China has provided RMB130.32 billion yuan in financial support to the African side, and RMB139.95 billion yuan in insurance coverage for China-Africa cooperation. Early outcomes of the follow-up actions have been achieved. From June 10 to 12, 2025, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was held in Hunan. China and Africa have conducted overall review on the implementation of the follow-up actions since the Summit, and communication and consultation on future plans. To better present the key points and highlights of the implementation of Summit follow-up actions, the Chinese side summarized some of the highly representative outcomes in line with the ten partnership actions, and worked out this list of outcomes containing 35 items in 10 categories. Learning Among Civilizations governance experience sharing. Members of various political parties from multiple African countries visited China and had exchanges with the Chinese side. The Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa Leading Cadres Workshop was successfully held. 2. Enhancing cooperation between think tanks. China has made continued efforts to advance the establishment of the China-Africa knowledge network for development and has held the symposium on the China-Africa knowledge network for development. China has also been working on establishing Chinese cultural centers in Mozambique and Kenya and the China-Africa research centers in Senegal and Morocco. Concerning parties are to establish a China-Africa publishing association by the end of this year in the principle of voluntary participation. The China-Africa-UNESCO dialogue on education and cultural heritage protection, the 14th Meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum, the Fourth Conference on Dialogue Between Chinese and African Civilization, and the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism Annual Conference were successfully held. 3. Continuously strengthening exchanges and cooperation on the rule of law. China has signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation with relevant African countries. The FOCAC Legal Forum (2025) and China-Africa Prosecutorial Cooperation Forum will be held in this July and October respectively. By the end of this year, the Chinese side will hold training courses of foreign assistance for legal and judicial professionals, and will invite judicial and administrative officials from relevant Africa countries to participate. Prosperity 4. China-Africa trade volume in 2024 reached US$295.6 billion, setting a new record high. The bilateral trade between January and March in 2025 registered US$72.6 billion, increasing by 2.7 percent year on year. The zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines given to all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China has come to effect since December 1, 2024, increasing export from relevant countries into China. China has signed a framework agreement on economic partnership for shared development with more than 20 African countries, and is actively promoting modular negotiation. This marks a distinct contrast with the U.S. action of imposing tariff wars on all African countries. 5. Promoting more export of quality African products into China. China has provided Africa with trade financing of around RMB17.12 billion yuan to support Africa's export. A special area for African products was set at the Seventh China International Import Expo. 6. Expanding access for African products to China. China has signed 22 Protocols on Agricultural Exports to China with 18 African nations, and more than 2,400 food enterprises from 53 African countries and regions have registered in China. China has signed the Memorandums of Understanding on Technical Cooperation of Animal and Plant Quarantine with Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Congo, and Sao Tome and Principe, and the Memorandum on Customs Cooperation with Namibia. The mutual recognition of 'Authorized Economic Operators' between China and Burundi has come into effect. 7. Deepening cross-border e-commerce cooperation between China and Africa. A special session of online lectures on e-commerce for Africa was held, with 600 representatives from 10 African countries attending the event. The African Digital Trade Day was held during the 2024 Global Digital Trade Expo. Chain Cooperation 8. Supporting the development of local value chains, manufacturing industry, and deep mineral processing in Africa. China has by far signed the Agreements on Avoidance of Double Taxation with 21 African nations. Active progress has been made in the negotiation between Chinese enterprises, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority and the governments of Tanzania and Zambia on signing agreements to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway. From the Beijing Summit to the end of March 2025, new investment from Chinese enterprises to Africa reached RMB13.38 billion yuan. 9. Pushing forward the pilot zone for the in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation and holding the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. The Chinese side has been advancing the establishment of the Fund for In-Depth China-Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation, and has set up the China-Africa Trial Center of China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission. 10. Supporting the development of African SMEs. The Chinese side has provided loans worth of RMB2.08 billion yuan to about 350 SMEs from 19 industries, creating around 4,500 jobs. Eighteen pairing events among SMEs and 26 training courses for industrial talents were held. The China-Africa Private Sector Cooperation Forum was held, during which the two sides reached agreements on 16 intentional programs for cooperation worth of RMB3.5 billion yuan in such key areas as manufacturing, energy, agriculture and logistics. The Symposium on High-Quality Development of China-Africa Investment Cooperation, the China-Africa Financial Cooperation Consortium meeting, and other events were also held. 11. Signing Belt and Road cooperation plans with South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya. China has provided or undertaken to provide Africa with RMB72.28 billion yuan of development financing special fund and support for infrastructure financing. From the Beijing Summit to the end of March 2025, the revenue of the infrastructure projects contracted by Chinese enterprises in Africa reached RMB134.464 billion yuan. 12. Actively advancing the logistics channels between the two sides. The Hunan-Guangdong-Africa sea-rail inter-modal train service has run 1,915 in total, with the annual number of trips exceeding 1,000 in 2024 for the first time. The scheduled all-cargo flight between Dar es Salaam and Guangzhou was officially launched, and the number of passenger flights between China and Africa has increased by 22 percent compared with pre-Summit level. The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Liberia on Maritime Transport has come into effect. 13. Continuously developing platforms and channels for financial connectivity. The Chinese side has provided African financial institutions with credit support worth of RMB11.16 billion yuan, and the African Export-Import Bank has issued a Panda Bond of RMB2.2 billion yuan. The China-Africa Development Fund and the China-Africa Capacity Cooperation Fund have newly invested about RMB3.2 billion yuan and RMB2.9 billion yuan in Africa respectively. Cooperation 14. Carrying out international development cooperation in various forms. China has continued to provide grant to the African side. China has been actively advancing nearly 600 'small and beautiful' projects, covering connectivity, poverty alleviation for the benefit of farmers, health, green development, digital economy, and people-to-people exchanges, benefiting almost all African nations. Positive progress has been made in multiple projects including the Stadium and Swimming Pool Project in the Comoros, the social housing project in Seychelles, the Improved Public Educational Service Facilities for Youth in Sierra Leone, the Youth Cultural Palace Project in Algeria, the Yaoundé Conference Center Technical Cooperation Project in Cameroon, the Project for the reconstruction of the Olympic Stadium in Menzah, Tunisia, the Project of Technical Assistance of the Presidential Palace and the National Stadium in Cabo Verde, the project of 500 social housing units in Djibouti, and the Multipurpose Building Construction Project for Gabon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China has provided urgent humanitarian aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Mozambique, and supported Senegal in hosting the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games through assistance in stadium technical maintenance, goods and materials, and technologies. China has also signed exchanges of notes on preparatory technical survey on poverty alleviation demonstration village projects with South Africa, and has carried out the project of African Mothers' New Farm. 15. The China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence was set up and officially launched in Ethiopia. The regulation on the management and operation mechanism of the demonstration center was signed. And three projects for industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent cultivation have been implemented in Ethiopia. 16. China and Africa jointly issued the Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation under the Framework of the Global Development Initiative, and 30 African nations and the African Union have officially become members of the Global Development Promotion Center network. China has signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Implementing the Global Development Initiative with Botswana. The China-World Bank Group Partnership Facility was replenished by a signed agreement, and has delivered the first donation of US$20 million on that basis. 17. Enhancing international cooperation in capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence (AI). China has put forward the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All, and established with Zambia the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building and held group activities. China has hosted the Workshops on AI Capacity-Building, and supported Rwanda in hosting the Global AI Summit on Africa. 18. Implementing the medical and health programs. The project of the new Regional Hospital of Tadjourah in Djibouti completed construction and has been handed over, and the projects of the Bobo-Dioulasso Hospital in Burkina Faso and the El-Maarouf National Center Hospital in the Comoros will soon be completed and handed over. Positive progress has been made in various projects including the National Surgical Center in Mozambique, the Masaka Hospital renovation and expansion project in Rwanda, the renovation of the Friendship Hospital and the housing facilities of the Chinese medical teams in the Central African Republic, the upgrade and renovation of the China-Chad Friendship Hospital in Chad, the project of the cancer center of the University Hospital of Gabès of Tunisia, the upgrade and expansion of Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Tanzania, the construction of maternity and pediatric nursing building of the Hospital Baptista de Sousa in Cabo Verde, the project of the National Clinical Diagnostic and Treatment Laboratory in Liberia, the medical assistance to the China-Equatorial Guinea Friendship Hospital, and the second phase of the expansion and modernization of the Juba Teaching Hospital in South Sudan. The Chinese side has also been advancing the building of Reproduction Health Center in Mali Hospital. Progress was made on three anti-malarial demonstration programs including the anti-malarial technical aid to Sao Tome and Principe, the Anti-Malarial Drugs Emergent Supplying Program and the 2nd Session of the Anti-Malarial Technical Cooperation Project of the Comoros. Trilateral cooperation on accelerating the eradication of malaria through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund was carried out in Gambia. China has provided Mauritania with tents immersed in anti-malarial medicine, and implemented an urgent anti-malarial assistance project in Ethiopia. Cooperation on anti-malarial training and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment was carried out in the TCM centers of countries including Algeria, Tunisia, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Morocco, Zimbabwe and Mauritius. The China-Sierra Leone TCM Center was officially established, and the China-Morocco TCM Center will soon be opened. China provided cholera vaccines to countries including Zambia and anti-mpox material assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo. 19. Strengthening sharing of clinical techniques. China implemented the Minimally Invasive Medicine Program, and shared techniques with Zimbabwe and Tanzania (Zanzibar), which helped open a new era of minimal invasion surgery in Africa. The 4th Sino-Africa Artemisinin Combination Therapy for Malaria Control Seminar was held. The China-Africa Technical Exchange Conference on Tropical Diseases Control and Prevention and the China-Africa Hospital Development Conference will be held respectively in June and August, 2025. Progress was made on establishing an alliance of Chinese and African hospitals, and one or two China-Africa Joint Medical Center(s) will be set up in December, 2025. 20. Supporting Africa's health industry. Since the Summit, China has sent a total of 508 medical aid personnel, providing treatment to 1.06 million local patients. The medical teams provided daily clinical service for local women and children, trained local medical and care personnel, and raised public awareness of health. China offered technical assistance to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by sending two professionals as technical consultants. Women and children health cooperation projects were conducted in Tanzania, Guinea Bissau, Burundi and Gambia. Multiple missions of the free medical services program of '100 Medical Teams in 1,000 Villages,' including the Brightness Action and the China-Africa Heart-to-Heart Medical Mission, were implemented in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and other countries, benefiting around 400 thousand patients. Infection Prevention & Control Training Courses were held. Expert teams were sent to Burkina Faso to help train 30 local technical professionals, and memorandums of understanding on cooperation on public health, parasitic diseases control and prevention and other fields were signed. The hospital ship Peace Ark visited 12 African nations to provide medical services. The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), working with its cooperation partners, has implemented in Africa a free lunch project that covers 35 schools, helping 8,297 children return to school. The China Foundation for Rural Development has conducted the project of food delivery for children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and built local kitchens benefiting 1,400 students. China cooperated with UNAIDS and other institutions to implement an HIV prevention and treatment campaign through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, and with UNICEF to carry out the project of early development service for children in Rwanda. VII. Agriculture and Livelihoods 21. Strengthening mutual exchange and sharing of agricultural techniques. China sent more than 200 agricultural experts to countries including Madagascar, Eritrea and Burundi, and provided assistance of material and expertise to the agricultural technology centers in Equatorial Guinea and other countries. Technical demonstration of green and effective production and processing of cassava started in the Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. Progress was made in the Juncao technological projects in Central Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Sudan and other countries, and in the Sustainable Rice and Millet Food Systems Transformation in Gambia. China carried out the Poverty Alleviation and Agriculture Assistance in Red Sea State, Sudan with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). China launched agricultural cooperation projects in Malawi and Namibia, and sent 16 agricultural experts to provide technical guidance. China worked with the FAO and the World Food Program (WFP) to carry out technical training on enhancing the value chain of cassava for African countries. 22. Implementing agricultural development cooperation projects. The China-aided Jamestown Fishing Port Complex in Ghana was completed. Progress was made in the China-aided Integrated Rice SAPZ Development Project in Sierra Leone, and a rural hydraulics project was launched in Togo. China supports Africa's agricultural mechanization and has provided Equatorial Guinea, Lesotho, Zambia and other countries with agricultural machines and tools. Emergency food aid of RMB210 million yuan was provided to nine African countries including Somalia. China cooperated with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on advancing agricultural development projects in Tanzania through the use of satellite digital technology. 23. Diversifying agricultural cooperation platforms. The meeting of the China-Sierra Leone Joint Committee on Fishery was held, and memorandums of understanding were signed on agricultural cooperation with Burundi and Côte d'Ivoire. The China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance was established, and at the round table of the alliance, the China-Nigeria Joint Laboratory for Soil and Water Conservation and Agricultural Sustainable Development, the China-Rwanda Joint Laboratory for Crop Pest Sustainable Management, and the China-Burundi Joint Laboratory for Arthropod-Transmitted Animal Disease Prevention and Control and One Health were established. The China-Africa Cooperation Center for Perennial Rice Technology was set up. China helped build the China-Africa Juncao Cooperation Center and the China-Africa Bamboo Center. The 2024 FOCAC Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference was held. China attended the 7th International Exhibition of Agriculture and Animal Resources in Côte d'Ivoire as the guest of honor and held the China Day event. China has worked actively with agricultural science and education institutions of African countries to jointly advance the construction of the China-Africa Center for Tropical Agricultural Science and Technology. VIII. People-to-People Exchanges 24. China and Africa are preparing for a series of events of the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges and have issued the concept paper. 25. Advancing China-Africa cooperation on talent cultivation. China has helped train more than 10 thousand professionals of various areas for African nations, and plans to provide training programs for about 20 thousand people covering more than 100 professions in over 20 fields including connectivity, health, poverty alleviation for farmers, trade and investment, green development and digital economy in 2025. 26. Enhancing education cooperation. The 'Future of Africa' China-Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Plan was implemented. 33 educational institutions from 13 African nations joined the China-Africa Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Cooperation Consortium. The first China-Africa Regional Development Center for 'Chinese + TVET' was established, and the first China-Africa Regional Cooperation Center for Digital Education was set up. The Luban Workshops and schools were newly-built or upgraded in Benin and Rwanda, adding to a total of 17 Luban Workshops in 15 African nations. Under the China-Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan, 114 universities between the two sides have conducted exchanges and cooperation across various fields. Joint laboratories were launched between China and ten African countries including South Africa and Egypt. China has signed memorandums of understanding on educational cooperation with five African countries including Guinea-Bissau and Zimbabwe. The China-aided National Examinations and Competitions Center in the Republic of the Congo started construction. 27. Expanding people-to-people exchanges. Progress was made on 18 projects of people-to-people exchanges, including the Confucius Institute in the Republic of the Congo and the Culture Palace technical support project in Côte d'Ivoire. Training on culture and tourism was held, involving over 200 African professionals. China conducted a joint underwater archaeology project with South Africa. A total of 54 flagship events including 'Happy Spring Festival' and China-Africa Cultural Focus were held in African nations. The 2024 China-Africa Cultural Silk Road Exchange Month, China-Africa Culture and Tourism Exchange Conference, and 'Hello! China' tourism promotion were held. China hosted the third China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and will host the fifth China-Africa Future Leaders' Dialogue and China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum in July 2025, and the ninth China-Africa Youth Festival in September 2025. China attended the 39th edition of Tunis International Book Fair as guest of honor. 28. Enriching cooperation on press and media. The China-Africa Press Center Program was implemented, inviting journalists from 49 African countries including Angola and Niger to China. Over 100 media personnel from 23 African countries including Kenya, South Africa, and Burundi came to China for visits or assisted training programs. The two sides have enhanced cooperation on television and film production. The 'Reel Africa' film screening and salon event was held. China cooperated with Egypt, Ethiopia, the African Broadcasting Union as well as other countries and organizations on historical film restoration. China has handed over the Seychelles Broadcasting Center Project to the host country, and completed the maintenance of the Djoué Radio Station of the Republic of the Congo. The events of 'Seeing China' were held in Egypt, Ethiopia, etc. IX. Green Development 29. Enhancing practical cooperation on climate change, green development and in other key areas. From the Summit to the end of March 2025, the revenue of the contracted clean energy projects in Africa by Chinese enterprises reached RMB21.18 billion yuan. The Special Found for China-Africa Green Industrial Chain was founded, and seven projects with an investment of RMB6.2 billion yuan have been approved. Support was given to African nations with the implementation of the first batch of programs under the Kunming Biodiversity Fund. The China-Africa Green Envoys Program was implemented, uplifting the green skills and knowledge sharing of sustainable development of both sides. China has signed memorandums of understanding on green development with countries including Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia and the Republic of the Congo, and implemented the Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CIEWS) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Seychelles, Madagascar and other countries. 30. Strengthening cooperation on marine and geology and mineral resources sectors. China has signed cooperation agreements and provided material assistance to countries including Benin, Togo, and Ghana, supporting them in enhancing capabilities of marine observation and monitoring. Geology officials and experts were invited to China for exchange and visits, and a total of 13 geoscience training programs were held for African countries, training over 400 participants. China has signed cooperation documents in earth science with Zambia, South Africa, and other countries. 31. Strengthening scientific cooperation. China signed an intergovernmental agreement on science and technology cooperation with Kenya. China hosted the second China-Africa BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) Cooperation Forum, issued the Joint Statement of the Second China-Africa BDS Cooperation Forum, and signed BDS cooperation documents with African countries. Construction of the China-Africa Cooperation Center on Satellite Remote Sensing Application was making progress. China provided emergency satellite imaging services for natural disasters preparedness in Nigeria, Ethiopia and other countries, and delivered satellite remote sensing data processing software for Cameroon. The China-South Africa jointly-built remote sensing satellite ground station was put into operation, and real-time satellite-to-ground quantum communication and 10,000-kilometer quantum key distribution was utilized in bilateral cooperation for the first time. A major achievement of scientific research between China and Kenya Flora of Kenya (Vol. 4) Orchidaceae was released. Construction started on the China-Zimbabwe BRI joint laboratory of agro-ecological environment and cash corp research. Training courses on digital transformation were held for Libya. China also held the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum, and will hold the China-Africa Forum on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology. X. Common Security 32. Building the Global Security Initiative (GSI) demonstration zone. China has signed memorandums of understanding of the GSI and conducted practical cooperation in areas of traditional and non-traditional security under the framework of the GSI with multiple African countries. The two sides are working to further strengthen their partnership for implementing the GSI, promote the Partnership Action for Common Security, and jointly safeguard and promote regional and global peace and stability. 33. Enhancing cooperation on peace and security. With the joint efforts of China, African countries and other members of the developing world, the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted in December, 2024 with a vast majority the resolution on Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security. Safe City projects in countries including Djibouti and Guinea were implemented, and construction started on the smart customs project of Côte d'Ivoire. 34. Strengthening communication on security issues. The first Military Education Seminar of the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, the fourth Thematic Conference on Military Medicine under the Framework of China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, and the third Counter Terrorism Consultation between Ministries of Foreign Affairs of China and Egypt were held. The delegation of African young and middle-aged military officers visited China. 35. Strengthening police and military cooperation. China has worked with Ethiopia, Somalia and the African Union to implement the second batch of projects under the framework of the initiative to help Africa in demining. The China-aided military housing infrastructure project at the Army Peace Operations Training School in Ghana was completed and handed over. Projects such as police equipment in Benin and fingerprint laboratory in Lesotho are making steady progress. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Mid East Info
5 hours ago
- Mid East Info
Silver XAGUSD dips as trade optimism wobbles on China comments - Middle East Business News and Information
By Daniela Sabin Hathorn, senior market analyst at The price of silver (XAG/USD) entered a consolidation phase on Wednesday morning, trading within a narrow range around $36.50 following a period of heightened volatility. However, sentiment quickly shifted after comments from the Chinese Vice Premier regarding ongoing trade negotiations with the United States in London. While the remarks were not overtly negative, they underscored the challenges ahead, reminding markets that a smooth path to a trade deal is far from guaranteed. The statement that China is 'not willing to fight but not afraid to fight' sparked renewed caution, triggering a sharp 1.4% drop in silver prices within just five minutes. Silver XAG/USD daily chart & Gold/Silver ratio blue line: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The daily chart reflects a potential technical reset after the recent bullish surge. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is flirting with a dip below 70, indicating that overbought conditions may be easing. Despite this, the prevailing trend remains upward in the absence of fresh geopolitical or economic frictions. A critical short-term catalyst will be the upcoming US Consumer Price Index (CPI) release, expected Wednesday afternoon. A softer-than-anticipated inflation reading could bolster expectations for more accommodative monetary policy, reigniting upward momentum in silver prices Silver outshining gold: Unlike gold, which is traditionally viewed as a safe haven, silver carries a dual identity—valued both as a precious metal and as a key industrial input. The recent rally to a 13-year high has been driven in part by optimism around improving US-China trade relations, reducing fears of a global recession and boosting risk appetite. Silver's role in industries such as solar energy, electronics, and electric vehicles strengthens its ties to global economic health, helping it outperform gold in recent weeks. A notable indicator reflecting this trend is the gold-silver ratio, which has been declining—signalling silver's growing appeal relative to gold. Supply deficit drives prices higher: Approximately 70% of global silver supply is derived from mining, with only around 20% coming from recycled sources. Notably, pure silver mines contribute a relatively small share; much of the silver extracted is a byproduct of mining operations for other metals such as zinc, lead, copper, and gold. Consequently, silver production is heavily dependent on the fortunes of these markets. The sector also faces a chronic underinvestment in mining exploration and development, partly due to increased regulatory hurdles. Simultaneously, infrastructure for recycling silver—particularly from electronic waste—remains underdeveloped, especially in the context of renewable energy applications. This constrained supply environment is colliding with surging demand, particularly from the green technology sector. Silver plays an indispensable role in solar panel and electric vehicle production—segments expected to grow steadily in the coming years. With mining output lagging and inventories falling, silver is poised for a potential structural shortage, which should continue to push up prices.
