Xi Took Center Stage at G20 While African Union Kept a Low Profile

[@isee8423]

Another wonderful show, thank you very much!

[@freedumb_3.0]

Or the hundred flowers bloom idiom could simply mean what it is. The hundred flowers represent the nations of the Global South, and blooming together is developing together.

[@barrywong4327]

Eric is misreading Xi’s reference to “thousand flowers”. That is an idiom commonly used to suggest that an action, movement or plan would over time blossom into positive outcomes. It’s a poetic expression. That’s all. Politically, Xi has no need to invoke Mao. Xi’s achievements stand on themselves. His popularity and admiration in China is overwhelming and that is not an overstatement.

[@chinaglobalsouth]

It wasn’t a “thousand” that Xi referenced, it was a hundred which was eerily similar to Mao’s hundred flowers campaign. I just noted that it was an interesting choice of words on the part of Xi. - Eric

[@gliang9406]

Here is the exact text by Xi: "中国不追求一枝独秀，更希望百花齐放，同广大发展中国家携手实现现代化。" Based on the information being convened, it has no reference to Mao.

[@yanghailun]

About the one hundred flowers thing: Mao said a lot of things, some achieved some failed. Some failed in Mao era but succeeded in Deng Era. Xi said that only because he thinks it is important and he is consistent, and the party is consistent.

[@hengongchua6250]

Indians have claimed that India is the leader of Global South. I wonder what has India as a leader done for the Global South countries so far？

[@frankiedehockie]

@Eric is about correct. The AU is to reserve on issue directly impacting Africa. The AU and African countries need to be assertive in pursing their interests.

[@lisaneo]

花无白日红 = Flower doesn't bloom for 100 days. This is an idiom. It is literally a fact about nature, and draws parallels about almost everything thing. Eg sun won't rise forever, sunset will come eventually, or success won't last forever, or life itself everyone goes through the same cycle of birth, growth, and eventually death. This is Chinese idioms or philosophy, not really a Mao thingy. Also, 中国 is central region or country, because China had a long history of facing/fighting external forces, no need to over-analyse this. Everyone has a bit of narcissistic nature, eg Captain America. To pick up these, is nitpicking...

[@henbane2247]

Xi's hundred flowers is definitely a reference to Mao. I thought the Anti-Rightist Campaign started in 1958 because it contributed to people being scared to speak out when the Great Leap Forward was failing. As you say, Xi has to think about his domestic audience too, so maybe it is a selective reminder of Mao's historic speech, ignoring what came afterwards

[@johnnyong1874]

USA Does Not Have Any Diplomacy .

[@mchparity]

32:00 'hundred flowers bloom' is in the common tongue as much as any phrase in the little red book in China nowadays. If it's a hint, it's a very very 'abstruse' one like you said.

[@pedropfaff8906]

I usually enjoy your show but until you can tell me wbat are whale skelotins doing in the Sahara Desert; all this talk about " Climate Change " sounds like Trash Talk.

[@skydragon23101979]

If you have issues with climate change narrative then see it as energy transition and environmental pollution.

[@chinaglobalsouth]

Wait. You don’t believe climate change is actually real? Is that what you’re upset about? - Eric

[@naxsha777]

The enthusiasm about China's potential role as a development partner for African nations overlooks several critical issues. First, China continues to face significant domestic challenges in providing economic opportunities for its own population, with persistent rural-urban inequality and regional development gaps. Perhaps most concerning is China's treatment of its Uyghur population in Xinjiang. Rather than focusing on economic development and cultural preservation for this distinct ethnic group, the government has pursued policies of mass detention and cultural suppression. This approach raises serious questions about China's commitment to equitable development for diverse populations. Given these realities, the expectation that China will serve as a transformative development partner for African nations seems overly optimistic. While there's nothing inherently problematic about seeking economic cooperation with China, it's important to maintain realistic expectations about what such partnerships might achieve.

[@albback8176]

Xinjiang is the fastest growing economic region in the country. Your statement that Xinjiang economy as a focus is being ignored is incorrect. As for mass detentions and cultural suppression, you need to examine this further, as there is a great deal of evidence countering this claim.

[@naxsha777]

@@albback8176 While Xinjiang has indeed seen significant economic growth, we must ask: Who truly benefits from this development? The economic transformation of Xinjiang reveals a concerning pattern. Despite substantial infrastructure development and economic investment in the region, the indigenous Uyghur population has largely been marginalized from these economic benefits. Instead, the development has primarily advantaged Han Chinese migrants to the region, effectively creating a two-tiered economic system. This raises important questions about China's development model in other regions. When we look at potential Chinese investment in African nations, we should consider: Will local populations truly benefit from this development, or will they face similar patterns of economic marginalization? Will the infrastructure and economic projects primarily serve Chinese interests and workers while creating limited opportunities for local communities? These concerns don't necessarily mean rejecting Chinese investment entirely, but they do suggest the need for careful scrutiny of development agreements and their long-term implications for local populations. African nations might want to examine the Xinjiang case closely as they consider their economic partnerships with China. The enthusiasm some Global South nations express for Chinese development assistance deserves more critical examination, particularly regarding who ultimately benefits from these economic relationships. As you suggest, time will tell how these partnerships unfold.

[@skydragon23101979]

@@naxsha777The questions you have show your bias. Even if it’s limited economic opportunities it is better than none. Which is what you have when nothing is done. So if your argument isn’t s China is not a saint focused on Africa or Ughyurs development I agree. But if you are trying to paint a narrative that China is a bad guy then nope because how much economic development the locals are able to receive depends on how well the locals are educated the structures available and plenty of other factors.