Latest / China Economy with Fexingo: Beijing's Policies, Trade, and Asia-Pacific Markets
Why China Is Betting Billions on African Lithium Refineries
Episode 62 of China Economy with Fexingo. Lucas and Luna explore China's strategic push into lithium refining in Africa. With the yuan at 6.76 per dollar and a trade-weighted dollar index of 119.5, Chinese battery giants like CATL and Ganfeng are investing in Zimbabwe and the DRC to secure raw materials outside the Belt and Road debt trap narrative. This episode examines the numbers: $4.2 billion in announced deals since January 2025, the shift from buying ore to building refineries, and how this changes the global battery supply chain. We also discuss why Beijing is encouraging overseas…
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