.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian speaking to the media in Beijing on July 15, 2021. PHOTO: COURTESY/CHINESE EMBASSY IN SOUTH AFRICA
The Chinese Embassy on Tuesday firmly dismissed the US envoy’s claims about the so-called “debt trap” in China-Pakistan relations, terming the remarks as agenda-driven and asserting that Beijing’s strong cooperation with Islamabad would not be disrupted by a “rhetorical trap”.
In a statement, the embassy spokesperson responded to Pakistani media reports by quoting chargé d’affaires Natalie Baker, who had expressed concern over Pakistan’s financial commitment to China, urging that Islamabad must protect itself from falling into the “debt trap” of any country.
The spokesperson stated that the US diplomat’s reference to the “so-called rhetorical ‘debt trap'” was itself a “rhetorical trap”, adding that it amounted to “playing the same old tune and distorting the truth with an agenda”.
Citing Pakistan’s own public positions, the Chinese Embassy highlighted that “Western countries and multilateral financial institutions are its largest creditors,” while “China’s financial support and practical cooperation with Pakistan have effectively helped Pakistan stabilize its finances, develop its economy and improve the livelihoods of its people.”
“Pakistan has publicly stated on multiple occasions that Western countries and multilateral financial institutions are its largest creditors, while China’s financial support and practical cooperation with Pakistan have effectively helped Pakistan stabilize its finances, develop its economy and improve the livelihoods of its people,” the statement read.
