Chinese Foreign Ministry Slams ‘Debt Trap’ Nonsense, Cites What African Leaders Have To Say

May 22 (EIRNS)—In an exchange with a reporter during today’s Foreign Ministry briefing, spokesman Lu Kang replied to a question about U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), who is said to be preparing the China Debt Trap Act to help “free” African and other nations which China has allegedly plunged into a “debt trap” and whose sovereignty China has threatened through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

A few weeks ago, Sherman also introduced the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Act of 2019, which includes a number of insane provisions to counter “China’s multifaceted challenges to the United States,” as a May 7 press release explained.

Lu Kang replied sharply that it appears that U.S. politicians can’t open their mouths “without accusing China of creating debt traps. I would like to advise them to listen to the response of the countries they are concerned about.”

Take the example of African countries, he said. President Hage Geingob of Namibia recently said in an interview that

“Chinese loans, most of which are interest-free, only account for 2.6% of the Namibian government’s total debt. The loan agreements are reached through equal consultations with no political strings attached. Chinese investment is not limited to mega-projects such as airports and roads, but also covers important livelihood projects in education, health and agriculture.” The Namibian people, Lu Kang pointed out, know very well “who colonized and oppressed them, and who are their friends and treat them as equals.”

Then there is Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi, “who also said that it is those who keep lecturing on the debt issue, not China, that caused the debt problem in Africa,” Lu emphasized. And Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh “said that those criticizing the BRI have neither plans nor actions. Our confidence in the BRI and trust in China and Africa-China cooperation will not waiver because of the groundless accusations.”

So, Lu Kang concluded, “We would like to advise some individuals in the U.S. to offer some concrete help if they truly care for developing countries. If that is a tall order for them, they should at least keep a healthy attitude towards other countries’ efforts to help Africa’s development.”