African people are in the best position to tell whether China-Africa cooperation is good or not: Spokeswoman

(ECNS) -- China has long been following the principle of transparency and openness and expanding new areas of and creating new dynamism for practical cooperation with Africa in light of Africa's needs and the African people are in the best position to tell whether China-Africa cooperation is good or not, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at the daily news briefing on Friday.

Mao made the remarks when asked to comment on the Subcommittee on Africa of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee that recently held a hearing, expressing concerns about the debt risks posed by China’s economic activities in Africa.

The Subcommittee also accused China of lacking transparency in cooperation with Africa, disrespecting workers’ rights and environmental standards and engaging in business corruption. 

Cooperation outcomes can be found in various parts of Africa, Mao said, making a list of examples. 

The Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Project in Zambia, built by China, can reduce carbon emissions by 663,500 tons per year and yield revenue of more than $1 million USD in power generation per day. The Mombasa-Nairobi Railway in Kenya has created 46,000 local jobs. Over 80% of the employees there are locals. The Railway brings nearly 7,000 passengers and about 18,000 tonnes of cargo to their destination every day. China actively supports the Great Green Wall initiative in Africa and has made new progress in helping relevant countries in desertification treatment. In addition, the Chinese government has encouraged Chinese companies doing business in Africa to actively fulfill their social responsibilities. 

International financial institutions and commercial creditors hold the bulk of Africa's debts, the spokeswoman added.

"We have noted that the US benefits from its dollar hegemony on the one hand, and jabs fingers at African countries’ normal financing cooperation on the other. This is nothing but double standards. In fact, the massive interest rate hikes by the US has pushed up the cost of financing and debt repayment facing African countries. This is the main cause of African countries’ debt issue," she said.

She pointed out that when viewing China-Africa cooperation, the US needs to have less jealousy but more openness and inclusiveness. "It needs to make fewer groundless accusations, but provide more tangible support. It needs to engage in less zero-sum game, but more win-win cooperation."

As an old Chinese saying goes, “As he contends for nothing, none in the world could contend with him.” Any cooperation that is truly beneficial to the African people can naturally prevail, she said.