Today's news: Pyongyang, nuclear weapons are needed ‘in combat’, they are not a bargaining chip; Today the release of three more Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the truce in Gaza holds; UNHCR: since September 2023 Islamabad has expelled over 825 thousand Afghan migrants; Kuala Lumpur withdraws controversial regulation with guidelines for Muslims participating in ‘non-Islamic’ events.

From 4 to 6 September, Beijing is hosting the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac), the first major post-Covid event in the capital. More and more Chinese companies have developed partnerships and collaborated with governments and businesses on the continent. A response to the protectionist policies of Brussels and Washington, but there is also a ‘dumping’ risk for Africa.

Former Foreign Minister Kamilov analyzes Uzbekistan's role in the region from a stability and development perspective. From the closed borders of the recent past to the process of “rebooting relations,” resulting in increased trade and investment. A return to the days of the Great Silk Road.

On the eve of the meeting between President Boluarte and Xi Jinping, Peru drops its lawsuit over exclusivity. The facility will be inaugurated in November, giving direct access to the region to the largest container ships from Asia. Pressure is building for a new Trans-Amazonian Highway to connect the port to Brazil.

Bishkek and Tashkent ink a memorandum to connect Kashgar to Andijon. This will cut the freight journey to Europe and the Persian Gulf, while bypassing Russia. For the Chinese president, the agreement is "a show of determination,” part of the Belt and Road Initiative.