China Sends a Heavy Hitter To Be Its New Ambassador To South Africa

China’s ambassador-desingnate to South Africa, Chen Xiaodong, arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg yesterday to start his tour as Beijing’s sixth envoy to Pretoria.

Chen’s appointment to the post reaffirms Beijing’s view that South Africa remains its most important diplomatic outpost on the continent. Chen is a senior diplomat with a long resume in both Africa and Asia. 

Prior to coming to Pretoria, Chen was an Assistant Foreign Minister whose portfolio included Africa. He was also the ambassador to Singapore and before that spent five years as China’s top diplomat for West Asian and North African Affairs (aka MENA).

Given his previous high-profile roles at the foreign ministry, he is already well acquainted with most African leaders and their respective foreign ministers. This might indicate that Chen will assume a larger role in China’s Africa policy beyond his duties in South Africa.

Also, look for Chen to be a prominent figure at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit, currently scheduled to be held in Senegal next year, depending on the pandemic.

The Chinese embassy has not indicated when Chen will present his credentials to President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

SUGGESTED READING:

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Connect with leading professionals on the China- Africa Experts Network.

You've reached your free monthly article limit.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

-17% Savings

The post China Sends a Heavy Hitter To Be Its New Ambassador To South Africa appeared first on The China Africa Project.



source https://chinaafricaproject.com/2020/09/24/china-sends-a-heavy-hitter-to-be-its-new-ambassador-to-south-africa/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=china-sends-a-heavy-hitter-to-be-its-new-ambassador-to-south-africa

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

China Angry With Japan Over G7 Joint Statement, Labels Accusations as “Hype”

The Chinese government lodged a formal complaint to Japan over the wording of the G7 communiqué published over the weekend.  Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Saturday that China felt it had been “attacked”  and that a number of points raised in the G7’s joint statement amounted to an “interference in its internal affairs.” Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis. Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations. Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South. China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening. Subscribe today for unlimited access. Monthly $19/mo OR Yearly $199/yr (17% Savings) Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More source https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2023/05/22/china-angry-with-japan-over-g7-joint-statement-labels-accusations-as-hype/
Read more

The Growing Influence of Chinese Policing in Africa

While joint military exercises between China and countries like South Africa draw controversy, much less attention is being paid to the role of policing in Africa-China relations. A fascinating new paper  by the Africa-China security expert Paul Nantuyla maps the growing influence of Chinese law enforcement in Africa. This includes the normalization of Chinese policing norms via institutional links and training. Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis. Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations. Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South. China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening. Subscribe today for unlimited access. Monthly $19/mo OR Yearly $199/yr (17% Savings) Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More source https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2023/05/23/the-growing-influence-of-chine
Read more

Papua New Guinea, Micronesia to Sign Agreement With U.S. as Pacific Island Countries Increasingly Take Sides in Great Power Rivalry

Pacific Island Countries (PIC) are the current focal point in the escalating competition for influence between the United States and China around the world. Both Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Micronesia signed defense agreements with the United States on Monday  during a brief visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis. Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations. Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South. China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening. Subscribe today for unlimited access. Monthly $19/mo OR Yearly $199/yr (17% Savings) Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More source https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2023/05/22/papua-new-guinea-micronesia-to-sign-agreement-with-u-s-as-pacific-island-countries-increasingly-take-sides-in-great-power-rival
Read more