内容摘要：A nationwide poll conducted between April 29 and May 4 by the Venezuela-based research firm Delphos showed that only 15.9% of voters expressed a high probability of voting Sunday. Of those, 74.2% said they would vote for the candidates of the

A nationwide poll conducted between April 29 and May 4 by the Venezuela-based research firm Delphos showed that only 15.9% of voters expressed a high probability of voting Sunday. Of those, 74.2% said they would vote for the candidates of the

African politicians and experts say it’s an escalation of Chinese diplomatic pressure in Africa, where Beijing’s influence is growing. Beijing has built deep ties with African leaders by developing mines andthrough state-owned construction companies, often funded by loans from state-owned banks.

The pressure is also part of Beijing’s longstanding effort to influence groups and lawmakers across the world, including in New York state, where afor acting as an agent for the Chinese government.In January, Gambian lawmaker Abdoulie Ceesay sent a voice message to an IPAC staffer saying the Chinese government had complained to the Gambian foreign ministry about his membership.

“We have very shocking news … it’s a problem right now,” Ceesay said in the recording, which IPAC provided to AP. “The president is not happy with us at all.”Later the same month, Ceesay and fellow lawmaker Amadou Camara informed the alliance they were withdrawing. Ceesay told IPAC in a written message that his decision was “not influenced by the Chinese embassy,” a position Ceesay reiterated when contacted by AP.

Gambia’s information minister said he was unaware of any attempt by China to influence his country’s politicians.

“They decided on their own behalf to opt out of IPAC after realizing it goes against the government’s bilateral (relationship) with China,” said the minister, Ismaila Ceesay, who is not related to Abdoulie Ceesay.A Kashmiri Muslim bride sits along with others during a mass marriage of 51 couples in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, May. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A Kashmiri Muslim bride sits along with others during a mass marriage of 51 couples in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, May. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)South Korean Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic team performs during the first day of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

South Korean Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic team performs during the first day of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, Feb. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)A Hindu devout hits another with burning coconut leaves, sending sparks and embers flying, in a ritual known as Lukat Gni, as part of Balinese Hindu New Year celebrations, in Bali, Indonesia, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)