This week's issue of Pambazuka News (445) will be our last until 3 September, as we are closing for a short break over the month of August. We still very much welcome article submissions during this period, but ask prospective contributors to be patient with us, as you may not receive a response from the editorial team until after 31 August.

Africa's success in avoiding the worst of the economic crisis that has swept the industrialised world has been due in large part to the remarkable growth of trade and investment with China, India, Brazil and other “emerging” developing countries.

China has in recent years taken great pains to show the world that it is a well-rounded emerging power with a complete strategy for engagement in places like Africa. Its Confucius institutes are an interesting feature in this show of sophistication.

Lack of structural reforms in the domestic economy puts Russia in an awkward position in the BRIC alliance.

This week, Namibia plans to expand its inquiry on China, the U.S. gets nervous about China's growing footprint across Africa, and China opposes the arrest of LRA leader Kony.