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
BRICS Bank lends South Africa $1bn for cities, report says
By: Bloomberg Updated 1 hour 56 minutes ago New Development Bank is lending South Africa $1-billion for the State to upgrade infrastructure in its eight biggest cities, Business Day reported.... →
July’s Shanghai Week set to firm up platinum’s already solid status
By: Martin Creamer 15th June 2026 In a year where change is proving to be rapid and consequential, the major upcoming Shanghai Platinum Week is bound to connect key trends across... →
Somaliland says it has a right to choose its relationships as it opens new Taiwan office
By: Reuters 12th June 2026 Somaliland has a right to choose its own relationships and pressure tactics from Beijing and Mogadishu have not succeeded in altering its... →
Multilateral and plurilateral models in focus amid global trade ructions
By: Lumkile Nkomfe 12th June 2026 The growing fragmentation of the global trading system, intensifying geopolitical conflicts and mounting pressure for global trade reforms have... →
South Africa’s battery materials supply status surges ahead with new MMC plant 
By: Martin Creamer 11th June 2026 South Africa’s supply status in the rapidly evolving and increasingly geopolitically fragmented battery materials market has taken a major leap... →
Do aid cuts fuel violent conflict in Africa? How to promote peace
11th June 2026 The last 18 months have seen a historic decline in development aid budgets from various donor countries, in a period where many of them are... →
South Africa’s Zandkopsdrift rare earths project highlighted at Junior Indaba
By: Martin Creamer 10th June 2026 The Zandkopsdrift rare earths project in South Africa’s endowed Northern Cape was highlighted on day two of the Junior Indaba, which also learnt of... →
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... →
