Chinese Envoy Pushes Back Against U.S. Criticism of Chinese Lending Practices in Africa

China’s ambassador to South Africa, Chen Xiaodong, took a swipe at U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien’s recent accusations that Chinese loans to African governments are predatory.

Even though the event where O’Brien made the comments took place more than a week ago, the critique clearly didn’t sit well with the ambassador. Rather than directly target O’Brien, Chen chose to echo a statement made by Senegalese President Macky Sall, who also objected to O’Brien’s sentiments at the conference.

Chen, who recently took up his new post in Pretoria, is China’s most senior diplomat in Africa.

by Eric Olander

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