Why Is China Less Active in Africa's 2026 Ebola Epidemic?

 The Diplomat published on 10 September 2026 a commentary titled "Why Is China Less Active in the 2026 Ebola Epidemic?" by Zhida Shang and Joanne Liu.

The 2026 Ebola outbreak in the DRC may result in more cases and deaths than the 2014-2016 West African outbreak, which China responded to quickly and in a major way.  Although China is better positioned to respond today, its assistance so far has been modest.

One explanation is that China faces less pressure to prove itself.  Second, scientific incentives for China's research have decreased.  Third, the Chinese public may want to see resources devoted to China and not foreign countries.  

Saving USAID's Information After Musk Feeds It into Woodchipper

 The Political Librarian published in its July 2026 issue a study titled "Where Is 60 Years of Data, Information and Knowledge One Year After USAID Was Fed "Into the Wood Chipper?" by Tanya Torres and Zachary Baquet.

When Elon Musk and the Trump administration fed the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) into the woodchipper in early 2025, groups and individuals mobilized to rescue information resources created by staff and partners.  

The USAID Knowledge Rescue effort, along with partner organizations and other volunteers, formed a decentralized network to preserve and provide public access to over sixty years' worth of the agency's data, information, and knowledge.  This study provides a snapshot of the progress and challenges faced by those involved in rescuing USAID's information.  

The shuttering of USAID, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and others by the Trump administration makes it clear that organizations are not permanent, and the knowledge they generate is fragile.  When an organization ends, time moves quickly.  The careful, delicate work of identifying and preserving decades-old institutional knowledge can get crowded out by the immediate pressures of winding down in weeks or months.

Review of Our China-Africa Book

 The Czech Journal of Political Science published in its second issue of 2026 a review by Ondrej Voznak of our book titled "China's Relations with Africa: A New Era of Strategic Engagement." 

Instability in the Kenya--Somalia-Ethiopia Borderlands

 The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies published on 15 April 2026 a paper titled "Instability in the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia Borderlands" by Christopher Hockey, Timothy Kimaiyo, and Martine Zeuthen.  

The paper provides critical insights into the complex dynamics of instability in the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia borderlands.  It highlights the interconnected challenges of violent extremism, gender-based violence, ethnic tensions, political instability and resource pressures, offering practical recommendations for future interventions.

Dismantlement of USAID Projected to Result in Many Deaths

 CNN published on 4 February 2026 an article titled "One Year on from Dismantlement of USAID, Study Projects that Global Aid Cuts Could Lead to 9.4 Million Deaths by 2030" by Lauren Kent.

The Trump administration dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID) early last year.  A new study by the Lancet medical journal projects that the human toll of these aid cuts could lead to at least 9.4 million additional deaths by 2030.

The Center for Global Development reports that the dismantlement of USAID may have led to between 500,000 to 1,000,000 lives lost in 2025 compared to previous years.  

South Africa and China Expand Exchanges for Young Scientists

 South Africa's Department of Science, Technology and Innovation issued on 8 December 2025 a press release titled "South Africa and China Strengthen Cooperation among Young Scientists."

A visiting Chinese delegation signed with South Africa's deputy minister of science, technology and innovation a memorandum of understanding to expand technical opportunities for young scientists from South Africa and China.  

Comment:  As US-South Africa relations continue to deteriorate, they are expanding at all levels with China.  

China-Africa Bibliography

 This is an updated version of my China-Africa bibliography that I began in 2006. It now consists of 387 pages.  It is intended to serve as a resource for anyone interested in China-Africa studies.  

Challenges Faced by American Researching Chinese Projects in Uganda

 Global China Pulse posted on 22 May 2025 a commentary titled "After Access: The Complexities of Reflexivity in Global China Fieldwork" by Robert Wyrod, University of Colorado Boulder. 

This is a fascinating account of interviewing Chinese managers of Chinese-funded projects in Uganda by a privileged, white American, male academic during a period of deteriorating US-China relations.  It underscores the challenges of doing academic research in difficult circumstances.  

Federal Workers Are Facing New Reality

 The Atlantic published on 16 April 2025 an article titled "Federal Workers Are Facing a New Reality" by Elaine Godfrey.

The author spoke with 24 employees at 14 federal agencies.  The concern of the employees was not changing priorities, reduction of bloat, or the red lining of former silly programs.  It was the meat axe approach to federal government service and the total lack of responsible planning by DOGE mercenaries.  The goal seems to be to create chaos, destroy employee morale, and treat federal workers as villains.  As a result, the federal service is spiraling out of control.  

Review of Our China-Africa Book

 The June 2025 issue of Pacific Affairs contains a review by Deborah Brautigam of our book titled China's Relations with Africa: A New Era of Strategic Engagement.

China-Kenya Nuclear Power Cooperation

 The Star published on 19 March 2025 an article titled "Kenya, China Ink Major Deal to Boost Nuclear Energy Development" by Felix Kipkemoi.

Kenya and China signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on nuclear energy development.  The agreement between Kenya's Nuclear Power and Energy Agency and China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation outlines cooperation in research, innovation, and technology transfer.  The partnership is expected to accelerate Kenya's progress toward diversifying its energy mix and ensuring long-term energy security.

China-Africa Science and Technology Collaboration

 Springer published in 2024 an open access book titled "China-Africa Science, Technology and Innovation Collaboration" edited by Mammo Muchie, Angathevar Baskaran, and Mingfeng Tang.

The book is based on papers presented at a conference with the same title sponsored by the Chinese embassy in South Africa.  About half of the authors are Chinese.  The preface comments that "Africa must also learn from the great success China has achieved.  There is a lesson Africa must learn how China managed to deal with and respond to external powers." 

The chapters cover the following sectors:

--China-Africa Collaboration to Higher Education.

--China-Africa Research Collaboration and Training.

--China-Africa Collaboration in Agriculture, Food Security and Environmental Management.

--China-Africa Collaboration in Telecommunications and Space.

--Evolution of China-Africa Collaboration in Science, Technology and Innovation.

--China-Africa Collaboration in Digital Technologies.

--China-Africa Collaboration in Finance and Renewable Energy.

--China-Africa Collaboration in Health Sector.

--China-Africa Collaboration in Manufacturing.

Review of our China-Africa Book

 The November 2024 issue of the African Studies Quarterly includes a review of China's Relations with Africa: A New Era of Strategic Engagement by David Shinn and Joshua Eisenman published in 2023 by Columbia University Press.  Phill Wilcox of Bielefeld University did the review.  

China and Zimbabwe Open Joint Research Center

 Xinhua published on 13 October 2024 an article titled "Chinese, Zimbabwean Universities Launch Research Center on Civilization Exchanges."

The China-Africa Joint Research Center for Exchanges and Mutual Learning between Civilizations opened on 11 October at the University of Zimbabwe in collaboration with Renmin University of China.  The spokesperson for the University of Zimbabwe emphasized joint research projects and exchange programs that focus on innovation and industrialization.  The spokesperson from Renmin University said the center will promote exchanges and research in education and scientific cooperation.  

Syllabus for China-Africa Relations Course - Fall Semester 2024

 This is a syllabus for a graduate level course on China-Africa relations during the fall 2024 semester in the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.  

Review of Our China-Africa Book

 H-Diplo published in July 2024 a review of our 2023 book titled China's Relations with Africa: A New Era of Strategic Engagement.  Nial Duggan, University College Cork, reviewed the book.  

China-Africa Bibliography

 This is a 372-page bibliography on China-Africa relations.  Citations include books, book chapters, journal articles, reports, etc.  It has been updated as of 1 June 2024.  

China Maps Indian Ocean for Submarine Warfare

 The Washington Post published on 10 January 2024 an article titled "Chinese PLA-linked Vessels Map the Indian Ocean for Submarine Warfare" by Cate Cadell.

The Indian Ocean is critical to China's strategic and economic interests, as well as its geopolitical rivalry with India.  Consequently, the Indian Ocean is fast becoming one of the biggest domains for Chinese oceanic surveys, which are ostensibly civilian in nature but tied to the People's Liberation Army and Beijing's military-civil fusion program -- a national strategic plan to advance China's military by acquiring technology and research from civilian groups.

China Relations with Africa Book Launch at GWU

 GW Today published on 30 October 2023 an article titled "GW Alumni Authored Book on China's Engagement in Africa" by Brook Endale.

The article is a summary of comments made by Josh Eisenman and me at a launch of our book titled China's Relations with Africa: A New Era for Strategic Engagement at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.  

The book is available on the Columbia University Press website at  http://cup.columbia.edu/book/a/9780231210003/.  There is a 20 percent discount if you use the CUP20 promotion code.

South Carolina Senator Has Alternative for African Students Headed for China

 South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and Republican candidate for President issued on 27 October 2023 a press release titled "Scott Pushes Back on China, Empowers American Students Through HBCU-Africa Partnership Act."

Scott, who is also ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health introduced the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)-Africa Partnership Act of 2023 to promote exchange opportunities between HBCUs and African partners.  Scott noted the act is designed in part to counter China's exchange program whereby more than 80,000 African students were studying in China in 2018.