China
China is a country in East Asia and the world's most populous nation, with over 1.4 billion people. The capital is Beijing, and the country operates under a single-party socialist system led by the Communist Party of China. China has the second-largest economy in the world by nominal GDP and is a major global manufacturing hub, exporting a vast range of goods from electronics to textiles. The country is the world's largest consumer and producer of many industrial metals and minerals, including steel, aluminium, copper and rare earths, making it a pivotal player in global commodity markets. China's currency is the renminbi, with the yuan as its primary unit. The economy has transitioned over recent decades from a centrally planned system to a mixed economy with significant state involvement alongside private enterprise. Key sectors include manufacturing, construction, technology, agriculture and services. China is a member of international bodies such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and regional groupings including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The country has pursued extensive infrastructure investment both domestically and abroad, notably through the Belt and Road Initiative. China's demand for raw materials has a profound impact on African mining and trade, particularly in minerals such as chrome, platinum-group metals and iron ore.
China Updates
Platinum investment demand broadening to minor PGM metals, SFA (Oxford) points out 
By: Martin Creamer 3rd June 2026 The strong ongoing investment demand for platinum is broadening to the minor platinum group metals (PGMs) such as ruthenium and iridium, SFA... →
Standing Committee on Appropriations notes that economic pressures pose challenges to South Africa's export sector
3rd June 2026 The Standing Committee on Appropriations has noted that South Africa’s export sector continues to face significant pressure, largely due to the 30... →
Questions raised over frequent-flyer Mabuyane’s latest trip as the EC economy remains grounded
By: Reza Creamer 3rd June 2026 Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s latest overseas investment mission to Italy and Greece raises serious questions about why the province is paying for... →
South Africa can become strong value-add minerals player again, PyroFuZA points out
By: Martin Creamer 2nd June 2026 Look out for PyroFuZA. Those eight letters have the potential to make best use of South Africa’s natural resources and restore South Africa’s... →
Can South Africa afford to keep Starlink out?
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 2nd June 2026 Achieving the country’s ambitious goal of 100% broadband access by 2030 could require a trade-off between politics and connectivity. Starlink – the... →
WHO chief to meet Congo president, as group warns Ebola likely spread undetected for months
By: Reuters 1st June 2026 The head of the World Health Organization was due to meet with Democratic Republic of Congo's president on Monday to discuss the country's Ebola... →
Big and small pictures
By: Terence Creamer 29th May 2026 Much has been written in recent weeks about the geopolitical factors now driving the energy transition. Particular attention has been given to how... →
South Africa set to run coal stations longer as gas projects lag
By: Bloomberg 28th May 2026 South Africa is poised to delay the retirement of about a fifth of its coal-fired electricity-generation capacity as gas projects earmarked to... →
SA: John Steenhuisen: Adress by Minister of Agriculture, at the Hortgro Symposium 2026 with theme “Growing Forward in a Changing World”, Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West (25/05/2026)
26th May 2026 This is an industry that operates at the frontline of change. It deals daily with shifting climate conditions, increasingly complex export... →
Africa’s capital must stay home to plug its financing gap: how it could be done
21st May 2026 Africa is providing cheap liquidity to wealthy nations. In return it is paying huge interest rates to external institutional investors at the cost... →
