1. China in Africa

Miners put down tools, want more money in their pockets
More than 500 Zambian workers at Sino Metals copper processing plant went on strike on Friday for higher wages, in the latest industrial action to hit Africa’s top copper producer, just two weeks after its new president took office on the promise of improving conditions at Chinese-owned mines. “The strike today spread to Sino Metals where workers want higher salaries,” National Union of Mine and Allied Workers general secretary Goodwell Kaluba told Reuters on Friday.
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New Zambian President Criticizes China's Labor Mismanagement
Negligence and ignorance of Zambian labor laws by Chinese mining firms had pricked the temper of Zambian president Michael Sata, in spite admitting Chinese investments are helping his country move towards economic growth and stability. Sata said Chinese companies investing in Africa's biggest copper producer are most welcome but only if they obeyed the law, especially by employing more Zambian workers.
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Health sector receives 15 Chinese experts in Luanda
At least 15 experts will reinforce, as from this month, the health services of Luanda, in ambit of a cooperation memorandum signed here between Angolan Ministry of Health and government of China. The agreement was signed on Tuesday by the Angolan incumbent minister, José Van-Dúnem and Chinese Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ambassador to Angola, Gao Kexiang.
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China, South Africa Pledge Closer Law Enforcement Cooperation
China and South Africa on Tuesday agreed to further promote law enforcement cooperation in fighting crime and maintaining public order and safety. The agreement came out of the meeting between China's Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu and South Africa's Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon.
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Tanzania secures China loan for 300 MW power plant
Tanzania has secured a loan from China to build a $684-million gas-fired power plant in the south of the country to plug energy shortages in east Africa's second biggest economy, the government said late on Wednesday. The 300-megawatt (MW) power plant will be built at Mnazi Bay by China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation (CMEC) and German engineering group Siemens, the government said.
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2. India in Africa

India, AU discuss on action plan
India and the African Union have held meetings on 7 October, 2011 to discuss the Action Plan under the Enhanced Framework of Cooperation adopted at the Second Africa India Forum Summit held in Addis Ababa in May 2011. A delegation led by Gurjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs had discussions with the African Union Commission and the Multilateral Affairs Sub-Committee of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the African Union.
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India wants contentious issues to figure in Durban climate talks
India made it clear on Monday that it wants contentious issues, including access to intellectual property rights, to be a part of the upcoming climate change talks at Durban in South Africa. New Delhi has submitted a proposal to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, asking it to include three issues in the agenda. They are: unilateral trade measures, intellectual property rights and equitable access to sustainable development.
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India, South Africa to cooperate on electoral reforms
India and South Africa Tuesday decided to cooperate on election administration, management and reforms. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on this by India's Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi and South Africa's Electoral Commission Chairperson Brigalia Bam. Election Commissioners V.S. Sampath and H.S. Brahma were also present on the occasion. Under the agreement, both countries also decided to exchange officers to enhance their experience in electoral management and administration.
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India-Africa business partnership summit in Hyderabad from Oct 12
A two-day India-Africa Business Partnership Summit, to be organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Union ministry of commerce and industry and the Andhra Pradesh government, will be held in Hyderabad from October 12. Over 120 African and 250 Indian delegates, comprising chief executives, heads of public and private sector corporations and independent consultants, will congregate at the two-day summit to share and showcase business opportunities for Indian and African companies.
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3. In Other Emerging Powers News

India, Brazil, South Africa to engage in 5th IBSA Summit
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh heads for Pretoria Monday on a three-day visit to attend the 5th India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Summit Oct 17 in which global economy and security will be among issues of prime focus, officials said. The summit in the South African capital is being hosted by President Jacob Zuma and will also be attended by Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff. The prime minister will hold bilateral meetings as well with the two leaders, officials here added.
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Brazil eager to share agricultural experiences
Brazilian Government plans to extensively share, with African countries, data on good practices, concerns and research and development in agriculture. Joao Inacio Padilha, Brazilian Ambassador to Botswana made the announcement at the recent Botswana National Agriculture Show (BNAS) in Gaborone.
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SA will not deviate from African bloc in key climate talks
South African will take an “African” position at the global climate change meeting in Durban later this year, Environmental Affairs chief negotiator Alf Wills said on Monday, while acknowledging that the continent was not united on some environmental issues. South Africa, which is the president of the Seventeenth Conference the Parties (COP 17), has key trade partners within the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and the Ibsa (India, Brazil, South Africa) grouping of countries, as well as strong relations with the US, particularly through the African Growth and Opportunity Act. But Wills said the country’s position on climate change was aligned with the African position, pointing out that Brics was not a negotiating bloc.
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China's stepped up moves in Maldives worry India
Alarm bells are ringing afresh in the Indian security establishment over renewed efforts by China to expand its footprint in Maldives, even as New Delhi and Beijing continue with their strategic shadow-boxing all across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). With China poised to establish a full-fledged embassy at Maldives, strategically located southwest of India astride major sea lanes in IOR, officials say Beijing has stepped up its "lobbying'' to bag a couple or more of crucial development projects in the 1,190-island archipelago.
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4. Blogs, Opinions, Presentations and Publications
China rural migrants young, restless and online: report
China's young migrant workers believe manufacturers can afford bigger pay rises and they are increasingly willing to strike to win them, according to a report that documents the spread of labor unrest across the country's export zones. The Hong Kong-based China Labour Bulletin, which advocates stronger rights for workers, also said in the report on Tuesday the tens of millions of young migrants from the Chinese countryside are increasingly adept at using the Internet to mobilize.
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If Chinese traders in Africa are exploitative, what are Africa countries doing to prevent it?
In the frequent talk about whether booming China is 'colonizing' Africa through rising trade and investment, it is usually taken for granted that the African countries are passive partners. Mention is often made of Chinese companies in Africa underpaying the locals or mistreating them in one way or another. Another common complain about the Chinese economic onslaught throughout China is that Chinese small traders are now encroaching on areas of small business that are supposed to be reserved for locals, and that this is not real 'investment.'
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SA's foreign policy lacks confidence
The imbroglio caused by the Dalai Lama's visa application has added another blemish to South Africa's foreign policy, underscoring the heavy price the country is paying for its relationship with China. What we have witnessed in the past week is signs of the regressive evolution of South Africa's foreign policy, the loss of its independence and the crumbling pillars of the country's commitment to progressive values under President Jacob Zuma.
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Different in Africa? Now’s India’s chance
In November 2010, India announced it was reopening its mission in Lilongwe, more than 15 years after it closed. Over the past few years, there have been regular delegations going between the two countries. Trade and investments have grown in everything from pulses to pharmaceuticals. Indian phone company Airtel is Malawi’s most popular network. For a long time, there has been a prominent community of small and medium Indian business owners in Malawi, a third or fourth generation diaspora. This means that India has an advantage over China when it comes to involvement in the country — they are seen less as outsiders, swooping in to pillage, according to one local journalist.
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'India, Once Colonised, Has Turned Into A Coloniser'
The California—based Oakland Institute released a report earlier this year that documents some of the problems caused by the acquisition of land by foreign firms, including Indian ones, in Ethiopia and other African countries. Putting this global trend of ‘land grab’ under the spotlight, the report highlights the social and environmental costs of this phenomenon that have been largely overlooked by the media. Outlook interviewed Anuradha Mittal, the India—born—and—educated founder and executive president of Oakland Institute, to find out why she thinks India ought to share part of the blame of causing “depravation and destitution” in Ethiopia.
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