AMMAN, April 7 -- Li Chengwen, ambassador for China-Arab States Cooperation Forum Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, refuted on Sunday the criticism that China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will create so-called "debt trap" for some participating countries.
"China is trying to find mechanisms to avoid the 'debt trap,'" Li said during a session on the second day of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa 2019 held in the Dead Sea area of Jordan.
The Chinese envoy was responding to the criticism directed at the BRI by some people in the United States and Europe ahead of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, due to be hosted by China later this month in Beijing.
The initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road to seek common development and prosperity.
As of July 2018, more than 100 countries and international organizations had signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China, extending the initiative's scope from the Eurasian continent to Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the South Pacific region.
Li pointed out that no participating country has complained of falling into the so-called "trap" of Chinese loans.
"The Belt and Road Initiative aims to increase the economic prosperity of a country. It does not aim at expanding the political and geographical authority of China in the world," he said.
Many participants at the forum in Jordan agreed with Li's comments.
"If you keep your interest first, you will not find China an unfair partner," said Shandana Gulzar Khan, Pakistan's parliamentary secretary for commerce. "But it depends on how well you do your homework."
In Pakistan, a major BRI participating country, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has created tens of thousands of jobs and revived the economy of an entire region, Khan noted.
Speaking at the session, He Wenping, a research fellow of the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, echoed Li's remarks.
"The biggest worry on the 'debt-trap diplomacy' should come from China's side, not from outside. It is tax payers' money," the Chinese professor said.
"China is not waving the 'China First' flag," she said.
The upcoming Belt and Road forum to be held in Beijing later this month could be an opportunity to kickstart a "second phase" of the initiative, she added.
国内英语资讯:Vice Premier promises to improve public service for senior citizens
国内英语资讯:Regulator stresses importance of containing financial risks
香港故宫文化博物馆正式动土 计划2022年竣工
美国称联合国有关以色列的决议“一边倒”
体坛英语资讯:Frances Lyon clinches UEFA Womens Champions League title
国内英语资讯:Xi calls on China, UK to strengthen cooperation in scientific, technological innovation
对于川普来说,总有“更好的交易”可以谈
比利时:周二袭击为恐怖活动
国内英语资讯:China, Pakistan vow to strengthen cooperation
水滴筹回应王凤雅去世事件:尽快加强信息内容审核
美文赏析:请不要成为道德绑架的帮凶
Out on the town?
研究:南极上空臭氧空洞形状“异乎寻常”
坐立两用桌是否真的那么神奇?使用报告来了……
国内英语资讯:CPC adjusts regulations to suit institutional reform
国内英语资讯:Vice premier calls for better prevention, cure of major diseases
戴安娜王妃侄女美炸了!还代言了宝格丽
体坛英语资讯:China U-19 defeat England 1-0 in Panda Cup tournament
如何避免迟到
国内英语资讯:Interview: Chinas leadership role in SCO important -- professor
2018世界杯主题曲《放飞自我》发布!网友:这歌一点也不俄罗斯
多吃植物基食物真的能缓解糖尿病吗?
国内英语资讯:Beijing starts building BRT between downtown, new govt center
体坛英语资讯:Serbia beats China 3-1 in FIVB womens Volleyball Nations League
这些足球明星的文身都有什么含义?
国内英语资讯:Chinese FM responds to comments by Houston Rockets general manager
最孤独的人是谁?答案出乎你的意料
利比亚东部爆发激烈战斗12万平民被困
体坛英语资讯:Rwanda, Sudan volleyball teams pull out of Africa Youth Games qualifier
国内英语资讯:China says U.S. trade move contrary to bilateral consensuses