Beijing has previously said its cooperation with African nations covers farm, health and infrastructure-related projects. In July, China said more than half its foreign aid, of more than $14 billion between 2010 and 2012, went to Africa. China says there are no strings attached to its aid, but some of its projects have drawn attention for their support of governments with poor human rights records and lack of transparency, such as Zimbabwe, Sudan and Angola. 
 

China's economic "new normal" will make public diplomacy crucial in relations with other countries, the new Chinese consul general of New York said Monday.

The China Railway Construction Corporation's eye-popping $12 billion deal to build an 870-mile railroad in Nigeria is the biggest single overseas contract in Chinese history and will boost the country's manufacturing sector just as its overall economy shows some signs of slowing. 

Foreign direct investment in Indonesia rose 7.3% in the second quarter, suggesting improved confidence in Southeast Asia’s largest economy following peaceful legislative elections in April.  According to government data, Indonesia drew an additional $7.4 billion (85.2 trillion rupiah) between April and June compared to the three months prior. FDI year-on-year was up 2.8%.

The two-day flight ban imposed on American carriers flying to Tel Aviv is likely to have a serious long-term impact on Israel’s tourism business, travel experts say, even though the Federal Aviation Administration lifted its ban on Thursday morning. 

As talks between Iran and six major powers on limiting its nuclear program enter the final stages of diplomacy this week in Vienna ahead of a July 20 deadline, global companies are fact-finding, meeting with potential Iranian partners and jockeying for position should an end to sanctions open the isolated economy.

President Obama said Monday that the U.S. would help construct a major solar power plant in Chile.  The power plant will help diversify Chile's energy sources while supporting Obama's national export agenda by facilitating roughly $97 million in U.S. exports, according to the White House.

U.S. foreign policy is failing.  Russia is pushing into Ukraine and threatening Eastern Europe; China is bullying Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam in the East and South China seas; and terrorist groups in the Middle East and Africa are displaced from one place, only to multiply and create more lethal threats in others.