On Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria clarified that the China
loans were not designed to take over Nigeria or any country.
Saixiong said on telephone:
“There is nothing like that (China taking over property). The
inclusion of Sovereignty clause is a common practice in many
international commercial agreements.
“We see the issue as more of Nigeria’s internal affairs. China follows
the approach of no interference in African countries’ pursuit of
development paths that fit their national conditions; no interference in
African countries’ internal affairs.
“The terms of the loans have been explained, we don’t need to say anything on the clause.
“Our position has always been consistent that China is committed to
enhancing investment and financial cooperation with African countries
based on their needs to help them improve infrastructure and extradite
socioeconomic development.
“China always gives full consideration to debt sustainability and
seeks mutually-acceptable proposals through equal and friendly
consultations.
“Such a debate on loans is not the first time it will come up in Nigeria
and other African countries. China will never seek hegemony and we are
not out to take over any country.”
The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry on China-Africa cooperation in an official statement said:
“China is committed to enhancing investment and financial
cooperation with African countries based on their needs to help them
improve infrastructure and extradite socioeconomic development.
“By funding infrastructure and other areas that lag behind for short of
money, we have helped the relevant countries break bottlenecks, enhance
their capacity for independent development, realize social and economic
sustainable development, and improve people’s livelihood.
“Such cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to African countries
and peoples. In the process, China always gives full consideration to
debt sustainability and seeks mutually-acceptable proposals through
equal and friendly consultations.
“That is the fundamental reason behind the enormous popularity of
China-Africa cooperation in Africa. And such cooperation is widely
welcomed by African countries.”
The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, made China’s position towards its
cooperation with Africa quite clear in his remarks on the FOCAC (Forum
on China-Africa Cooperation) Beijing Summit 2018 when he said: “We
respect Africa, love Africa and support Africa.
“We follow a ‘five-no’ approach in our relations with Africa: no
interference in African countries’ pursuit of development paths that fit
their national conditions; no interference in African countries’
internal affairs; no imposition of our will on African countries; no
attachment of political strings to assistance to Africa; and no seeking
of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with
Africa.”
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