BEIJING, Oct. 9 -- China on Friday rejected the false allegation that "China had been monitoring the African Union building", urging the relevant news organization to objectively report facts instead of fabricating lies.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks during a daily news briefing when asked for comments on a German media report published on Thursday that accused China of "installing listening equipment at the headquarters of the African Union building" and "intending to increase political influence by assisting African countries."
She said such lies had already been refuted by leaders of African countries.
"The African people know best and are in the best position to say whether China-Africa cooperation is good or not," Hua said.
She said that during the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September and during the 73rd UN General Assembly, many African leaders publicly refuted the accusation that China-Africa cooperation has increased the continent's debt burden.
They believe that China's support and assistance is not attached to any political conditions and does not interfere in their internal affairs, adding that China is the most reliable partner for the development and revitalization of African countries, Hua added.
Former President of the German Parliament Norbert Lammert visited Namibia not long ago and expressed his concerns about the rising influence of China in the African nation. However, Namibian President Hage Geingob said the concern that other countries have about Chinese influence in Namibia is "annoying".
Hua, referring to the president's words, said the international community "should not underestimate Africa's intelligence."
The spokesperson also expressed confidence that media organizations would correct their attitudes and objectively report on the cooperation between China and African countries, instead of ignoring the fundamental facts and fabricating lies, or "it would only damage their own credibility".