The U.S. government is now considering as many as 50 infrastructure projects for its new B3W initiative, which is aimed at countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Earlier this week, administration officials hinted at around 20 projects, but apparently, that figure has now increased substantially. U.S. officials recently completed “listening tours” in five Latin American and African countries and will next head to Southeast Asia. Officials added that only countries “with our democratic values front and center” will be qualify. (VOA NEWS)

Zambian President Haikinde Hichilema renewed his assurances to investors that Chinese creditors will not receive preferential treatment in the current debt restructuring process. “We will treat debt stockholders equitably to avoid cross-subsidization,” he told the Financial Times on Tuesday in response to a question about Chinese loan repayments. There have been longstanding concerns that Chinese creditors would unfairly benefit from any “haircuts” imposed on bondholders and multilateral lenders. (FINANCIAL TIMES)