Chinese mining companies dominate the Congo’s critical mineral production, but a nasty dispute at a cobalt mine shows the country is starting to drive a harder bargain.
When Dr. Sage Ngoie Mbayo arrived at the gate of the Tenke-Fungurume Mine (TFM), on June 10, he only had one goal: to smooth things over.
The mine is one of the crown jewels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s impressive mineral treasure chest. It alone contributes 14 percent of the world's supply of cobalt, a critical input to electric vehicle batteries. But since August 2021, TFM has been locked in something of a tug-of-war between the Congolese government and a state-backed Chinese
Exclusive longform investigative journalism, Q&As, news and analysis, and data on Chinese business elites and corporations. We publish China scoops you won't find anywhere else.
A weekly curated reading list on China from David Barboza, Pulitzer Prize-winning former Shanghai correspondent for The New York Times.
A daily roundup of China finance, business and economics headlines.
We offer discounts for groups, institutions and students. Go to our Subscriptions page for details.
When Joe Biden took office, many of his supporters thought the first order of business would be unwinding Donald Trump's trade war with China. But his trade czar, Katherine Tai, has been largely MIA, a stark contrast to her predecessor, the fiery and ubiquitous Robert Lighthizer. So what has Tai been up to?
The academic tells us why it's important to understand the Chinese leader's political beliefs and where they come from — as well as their shortcomings.
Navigate China's Business Landscape with Confidence.