TOPIC

/ location

Madagascar

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Madagascar. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Antananarivo

Head of State

President Andry Rajoelina

Head of Government

Prime Minister Christian Ntsay

China is reported to have been Africa’s top trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with trade exceeding US$295.56 billion in 2024, a 6 per cent increase from the previous year. Photo: EPA-EFE

China-Africa relations

China-Africa trade makes ‘moderate’ gains despite US tariffs, currency weakness

First quarter customs data shows Chinese exports to Africa climbed 11.3% to US$45.92 billion while imports from the continent fell 9.4%.

21 Apr 2025 - 5:28PMvideocam

Martial arts

Martial art you’ve probably never heard of, Moraingy seeks recognition

7 Apr 2025 - 3:17PMvideocam

History

Christian Pilard’s Little Museum of the World, a cave of wonders in Chai Wan

20 Jul 2024 - 5:00PM

Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong women told to ‘seize opportunity’ after draw for 2025 World Cup bid

Hong Kong will make their WXV3 debut in Dubai later this year, qualification for second World Cup on the line.

17 Jul 2024 - 3:00PM

Hong Kong’s victory over Kazakhstan kept alive their World Cup qualifying hopes. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Food and Drinks

Climate change impact pushes Hong Kong chocolate makers to plant cacao trees

Prices of cocoa beans, key ingredient of chocolate, have rocketed as climate change hits harvests. Hong Kong’s bean-to-bar chocolate makers describe how they are growing their own.

8 Jul 2024 - 10:02AM

China-Africa relations

Can China balance local interests with its needs as it eyes African fish stocks?

The country is investing heavily in port facilities across the continent, but its trawlers are accused of putting local stocks at risk.

16 Jun 2024 - 3:13PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China envoys deliver Xi’s invite to African leaders for September FOCAC summit

In a break with tradition, several countries have announced the date for the China-Africa cooperation forum in Beijing.

7 Jun 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

Workers clean anchovies destined for the Chinese market at a processing plant in Kenya. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong women keep World Cup dream alive, end ARC with win over Kazakhstan

Hong Kong outplay Kazakhstan in Asia Rugby Championship finale to secure spot in WXV3 tournament later this year, and remain in contention for 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.

1 Jun 2024 - 10:31PM

China-Africa relations

Central Chinese province steps up to boost African farming and industrial gains

Hunan vice-governor Cao Zhiqiang leads delegation of officials and company representatives to trade show in Nairobi where nearly US$300 million in deals are signed.

16 May 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

India

‘Nothing to hide’?: India’s election body under fire for BJP bias

India’s election commission faces accusations of bias towards the ruling BJP by refusing to reign in the party’s divisive campaign rhetoric and for not providing voter turnout data quickly enough.

9 May 2024 - 12:24AMvideocam

A security personnel walks past the office of the election commission of India. The commission is facing accusations from political parties and civil groups for showing bias towards the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Photo: AFP

Japan

With eye on China, Japan launches whistle-stop diplomatic tour of Global South

Madagascar, Ivory Coast and Nigeria were first on the itinerary for Tokyo’s top diplomat this week, as she also sought to push Japan’s Indo-Pacific strategy in Sri Lanka and Nepal.

6 May 2024 - 1:37PM

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa shakes hands with Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara at his residence in Abidjan on Monday. Photo: AFP

Celebrity children

Who is Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor’s aspiring actress daughter, Ella?

Stiller and Taylor had a public family outing in January as they attended Broadway’s Harmony with their 22-year-old daughter Ella – so who is she?

25 Apr 2024 - 6:00PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese navy steps up African port calls in push to cement diplomatic ties

After pausing them during the pandemic, Beijing’s growing military diplomacy is seeing more frequent port visits.

13 Apr 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

Africa

Zimbabwe declares drought disaster as El Nino leaves millions hungry

Zimbabwe’s declaration follows similar actions by neighbouring Zambia and Malawi, where drought linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon has scorched crops.

4 Apr 2024 - 11:56AM

A farmer in Mangwe district in southwestern Zimbabwe. The country declared a drought disaster on Wednesday. File photo: AP

Malaysia Airlines flight 370

10 years on, what ever happened to Malaysia Airlines flight MH370?

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we reflect on renewed hope for the resumption of a search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 a decade after its mysterious disappearance.

11 Mar 2024 - 2:08PMvideocam

Malaysia

Opinion | Can Malaysia’s MH370 aircraft still be found, 10 years after it disappeared?

Previous searches in the Indian Ocean did not locate any wreckage, although several pieces of debris have washed up over the years.

9 Mar 2024 - 11:06AMvideocam

Aviation

Why China’s MH370 families are still searching for the missing a decade on

For those left behind, the need to find their children, grandchildren and parents is as urgent as ever.

8 Mar 2024 - 3:44PMvideocam

Africa

Passengers start to exit cholera-suspected US cruise ship near Mauritius

The Norwegian Dawn cruise ship has been stranded off the East African island of Mauritius, following a series of gastrointestinal illnesses on board.

27 Feb 2024 - 7:45PM

The cruise ship Norwegian Dawn with more than 3,000 passengers and crew onboard was finally allowed to dock in the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius on Monday. Photo: AP

Disease

Cruise ship with 3,000 people aboard in quarantine off Mauritius

The Norwegian Dawn has been halted at Mauritius - with passengers temporarily unable to disembark or board - after several people became ill.

27 Feb 2024 - 2:54AM

Food and Drinks

Could vanilla make a comeback in Mexico, once the world’s leading supplier?

Mexico was the world’s leading supplier of vanilla more than a century ago, before it lost its title. Those tied to Mexico’s vanilla industry are working to increase the spice’s local consumption and production.

25 Feb 2024 - 5:15PM

China-Africa relations

How Hunan’s African trade hub could help province catch up with China’s coast

Hunan is not an economic heavyweight, but analysts say trade zone can leverage its policies, industries and agricultural links to help the province carve out niche as centre for business between China and Africa.

17 Feb 2024 - 6:37PMvideocam

Hunan has hosted the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo three times, most recently last year, when 120 deals worth US$10.3 billion were signed. Photo: Xinhua

China trade

China investors eye Africa’s Mauritius as it goes green, tries to sweeten deals

Located near Madagascar, Mauritius could capitalise on its position as a gateway for China to enter the African market, and the tiny island hopes Chinese take an interest in its sugar-based rum.

29 Jan 2024 - 7:30PM

Solar-panel makers and other entrepreneurs in China’s renewable-energy sector have approached the tiny island nation of Mauritius about helping with its green transition. Photo: AFP

South China Sea

‘Likely to agitate China’: European powers step up their Indo-Pacific presence

Concerns about China, trade routes and upholding international law have seen Germany and Italy join France in making their regional presence felt, but analysts say increased European involvement could do more harm than good.

7 Jan 2024 - 12:00PM

Aviation

China’s MH370 families urge new search after experts stir hopes of finding plane

French aviation insiders say their research shows renewed hunt could quickly find Malaysia Airlines jet that disappeared nearly a decade ago, prompting relatives of missing Chinese passengers to call for more efforts.

27 Dec 2023 - 8:49PMvideocam

Russia

What’s behind Russia’s hard power play in the Indian Ocean?

Russia’s joint drills with Myanmar, warship port-calls in Bangladesh – and plans for a Red Sea base in Sudan – paint a picture of an embattled power out to prove it’s not isolated and weak, analysts say.

18 Dec 2023 - 11:40AM

Iranian, Russian and Chinese warships take part in a joint military drill in the Indian Ocean in January 2022. Observers say Delhi only welcomes an increased Russian presence to a certain “point”. Photo: AFP

100 Top Tables

Top Tables Edit: Festive menus overlooking the harbour at Regent Hong Kong

The highlight is an eight-course omakase dinner by world-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa – back in town after a three-year hiatus – while The Lobby Lounge and Qura Bar also have festive treats in store

20 Dec 2023 - 4:57PM

A sushi set at Nobu at The Regent Hong Kong. The restaurant is offering an eight-course omakase dinner over Christmas, while The Lobby Lounge and Qura Bar have their own festive treats in store. Photos: Handout

China-Africa relations

China grants tariff-free access to 6 African countries in bid to rebalance trade

Angola, Gambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Mali and Mauritania will not pay duties on 98 per cent of taxable products under Beijing’s latest measure to buy more agricultural goods from the continent.

8 Dec 2023 - 4:37PMvideocam

Performing arts in Hong Kong

‘We wanted a feelgood musical’: Madagascar The Musical coming to Hong Kong

Madagascar the Musical, an adaptation of the hit DreamWorks animation, is coming to Hong Kong. Producer Matthew Gregory talks about the challenges of putting on a big show.

2 Dec 2023 - 5:15PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW