China has slammed the comments made by the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland pertaining to the debt restructuring process of Sri Lanka.
During a regular press briefing held yesterday (02), Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning revealed that the Export-Import Bank of China has already provided Sri Lanka with a letter to express support for its debt sustainability.
“Sri Lanka has responded positively and thanked China for that. Rather than jabbing fingers at China’s close cooperation with Sri Lanka, the US might as well show some sincerity and actually do something to help Sri Lanka weather through the current difficulties,” she said.
Mao Ning further said that as a friendly neighbour and true friend, China has been closely following the difficulties and challenges facing Sri Lanka and providing assistance for its economic and social development to the best of its capabilities.
She further said that as to Sri Lanka’s debt to the Chinese side, they support Chinese financial institutions in having consultations with Sri Lanka to seek a proper settlement.
“China stands ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions and continue to play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka navigate the situation, easing its debt burden and helping it achieve sustainable development,” Ning added.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson further revealed that China supports Chinese financial institutions in having consultations with Sri Lanka to seek a proper settlement to its China-related debt issue.
“We also stand ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to play a positive role in easing Sri Lanka’s debt burden,” she emphasized.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s statements come in response to a question raised by a journalist on the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland’s remarks during her recent visit to Sri Lanka.
During the visit, Nuland commented that the terms extended by China to Sri Lanka for getting International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt relief are not enough.
She further said the US expects China, as the largest bilateral creditor to Sri Lanka, to give credible and specific assurance that matches IMF’s standard on debt restructuring. (NewsWire)