China rejects US diplomat Wells’ ‘negative propaganda’ against CPEC
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The Chinese embassy in Pakistan on Wednesday took exception to senior US diplomat Alice Wells' criticism of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), terming it "negative propaganda" by the US to interfere in China-Pakistan relations and CPEC.
"Although you can never wake up a person who is pretending to be asleep, we have to make our position clear and reject the negative propaganda by the US," the embassy's spokesperson said in response to a question, according to a press release.
The rebuke comes a day after Wells criticised the flagship project of China’s One Belt One Road Initiative and alleged that there was no transparency in CPEC projects. Wells had also claimed that Pakistan’s debt burden was growing due to the Chinese financing.
Responding to her comments on Wednesday, the Chinese embassy spokesperson said, “The comments hold nothing new, but the same cliche in her speech in November, 2019, which has been repeatedly rejected by China and Pakistan.” The statement added that “we must not let the truth be distorted and the lies run wild.”
With regard to Wells’ allegations about blacklisted firms getting contracts in CPEC, the embassy spokesperson said, “The Chinese government always requests the Chinese companies to operate according to local laws and regulations.
“The entire process is open and transparent and is in line with international norm. We keep in touch with the relative accountability agencies of Pakistan and it is agreed that the CPEC is clean.”
To another point raised by Wells regarding CPEC’s contribution to raising Pakistan’s foreign debt, the spokesperson clarified that “according to statistics from the State Bank of Pakistan, the total foreign debt of Pakistan is US $110 billion.
“In fact, international financial institutions including the Paris Club and IMF are the largest creditors of Pakistan. Loan for the CPEC is about $5.8 billion, accounting for 5.3 per cent of Pakistan's total foreign debt.
“China will continue to work with the Pakistani government and people to steadily advance the BRI and CPEC to promote regional peace and development,” the spokesperson added.
Press Release
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Comments (88) Closed
Jan 22, 2020 07:25pm
Pakistan will find out the hard way
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Jan 22, 2020 07:27pm
Yes CEPC will be game changer for Pakistan ether way.
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Jan 22, 2020 07:28pm
During her current visit to Pakistan, news came that she presented a proposal on US behalf to get Pakistan out of FATF list iff CPEC could be compromised to a certain extent.
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Jan 22, 2020 07:38pm
The Pakistan-China economic and geoploirical axis is the basis of the security of the region, and it cannot be compromised by anybody.
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Jan 22, 2020 07:58pm
The US should not interfere in China's investment.
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Jan 22, 2020 08:09pm
I doubt US cares about what Vhina says.
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Jan 22, 2020 08:11pm
China also said that it will not militarize the artificial island it made in south china sea. So now one can conclude that china does exactly opposite to what it says.
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Jan 22, 2020 08:22pm
If only Chinese diplomate could give a single successful example of CPEC types of project Chinese have initiated allover world .
Failure include Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and 6 such projects in Africa.But not a single successful one
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Jan 22, 2020 08:23pm
Truth is like Sun, One can shut it as long they want, But it’s not going anywhere
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Jan 22, 2020 08:33pm
The US trade restrictions are pinching China. A stage might soon arrive where China themselves will hand over CPEC details to US.
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Jan 22, 2020 08:33pm
When did a communist regime accepted criticism??
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Jan 22, 2020 08:37pm
China plans to encash helplessness of economically struggling countries and trap them in debt network.
Not even a single example of Chinese investment anywhere in the world bringing any significant benefits to people of that country. Very few in Pakistan want to know this truth.
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Jan 22, 2020 08:40pm
Just look at the CPEC repayment numbers and terms instead of the he said she said. Also, why does China want to keep secret the contract terms?
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Jan 22, 2020 08:44pm
Us is absolutely right here
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Jan 22, 2020 08:51pm
China is correct, CPEC is the only way for Pak. No other way to go. China is a great friend who is sweeter than himalayas
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Jan 22, 2020 08:51pm
US should keep out of Pakistan, china affairs. You get busy destroying middle east.
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Jan 22, 2020 08:52pm
And they invited Alice for this.
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Jan 22, 2020 08:54pm
@joe, if china is failure, how it has become biggest economy and made in china brand you see through out the world.
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Jan 22, 2020 09:02pm
@yogi, We do not need Indian advise!!!!
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Jan 22, 2020 09:04pm
@narendranath paul,
Grapes are Sour.
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Jan 22, 2020 09:09pm
Us does not want Pakistan to leave its sphere of influence.
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Jan 22, 2020 09:10pm
@yogi, is this good advice from a good friend??
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Jan 22, 2020 09:18pm
If US and India is worried about CPEC then it must be good for Pakistan.
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Jan 22, 2020 09:22pm
CPEC shouldn’t be a burden on Pak if wisely dealt. The Agreement should be signed in total win- win situation. Pak shouldn’t promise to invest a single penny. A to Z all must had been borne by China, besides Pak must get monthly payments as fees. Obviously there are blunders in Agreement, that leverage so much burden on host country, although the primary beneficiary is China.
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Jan 22, 2020 09:23pm
@joe, Agree with you. Where ever China invested and loan provided by China using Chinese companies, seem to be a problem. Interest much higher and countries you mentioned got into trouble. At moment Pakistan does see or feel any pinch but when Pakistan reliazed will be too late.
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Jan 22, 2020 09:23pm
Of course they will reject. They are so good having such a big heart, helping the countries in need
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Jan 22, 2020 09:28pm
A better way to counter her "propaganda" would be by releasing all data related to CPEC. Of course that's not going to happen.
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Jan 22, 2020 09:37pm
@Pakistani, Go ahead.
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Jan 22, 2020 09:44pm
@Javed, Very Correct.
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Jan 22, 2020 09:50pm
@Pakistani, please take more loans from china.
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Jan 22, 2020 10:03pm
Pakistan, please go ahead as we have the seen the results of CPEC project. It's a monumental work of architecture, engineering and icon of technological advances in Modern times. If you ask China today to build Noah's ark, they will do it. They have focused on progress than wars!
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Jan 22, 2020 10:06pm
@Umesh, India is worried.
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Jan 22, 2020 10:20pm
Agree with China.
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Jan 22, 2020 10:35pm
Actually cpec has been a game changer, but for india
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Jan 22, 2020 10:37pm
@Jacky, for bread.
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Jan 22, 2020 10:37pm
@khurram, Since Pakistan rejected that offer, the offer has now been passed on to Modi to 'compromise' & sabotage the CPEC which he agreed to.
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Jan 22, 2020 10:40pm
@Raja Farhat Abbas, When it comes to Pakistan, we never give any advice. Its more an expression of resolve, prayer & hope.
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Jan 22, 2020 10:50pm
Loan for the CPEC is about $5.8 billion, accounting for 5.3 per cent of Pakistan's total foreign debt
Good to hear this, I suppose the rest of the 60 B will come from Pakistani exchequer
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Jan 22, 2020 10:55pm
So many Indians are worried about "good will" of Pakistan, any loan is better than Kalbhoshan Yadev.
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Jan 22, 2020 10:55pm
@Jacky,
Thanks. We couldn't have done without your advice!!
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Jan 22, 2020 11:00pm
It is an open secret know to the entire world that, all US financed projects are the costliest ever in the world. Look at their own projects like space crafts. They are 10 to 15 times costlier than Chinese, or Indian crafts of similar specifications.
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Jan 22, 2020 11:00pm
@yogi, It would be the other way round.
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Jan 22, 2020 11:02pm
@narendranath paul, there are no two ways. Otherwise, there would have been no Chabahar project.
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Jan 22, 2020 11:18pm
@Pakistani, Pakistan and China has asked innumerable number of times for India to join CPEC. India flately refused everytime saying it didnt want to fall in debt trap and be dumping ground for cheap chinese goods.
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Jan 22, 2020 11:20pm
China must enhance work on CPEC before this opposition from US disrupt it. Finish the projects as investment rather in loans, after all its the most important project for China and China will be more beneficial then Pakistan.
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Jan 22, 2020 11:30pm
@Pakistani, You are on the right path of self destruction.
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Jan 22, 2020 11:37pm
China will never accept the truth
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Jan 22, 2020 11:37pm
Srilanka is already suffering.
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Jan 23, 2020 12:09am
Look, it's no secret that the loans for CPEC projects aren't exactly Pakistan friendly, also, CPEC is China's vision for China, Pakistan just happens to be right in the middle of their road to a Trillion Dollar trade plan, for China, sure Pakistan will benefit in the long run, but its not people seem to be putting their hopes on. And the returns on the investments are mainly going to China. China will get the whole cake, Pakistan will get bread crumbs, but no Chinese or Pakistani official will tell you that.
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Jan 23, 2020 12:16am
Best reply By China and Pakistani authorities to shut the mouth of US will be to release to the Pakistani public all the details of CPEC loans, investment, terms & conditions. Why they are not doing it?
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Jan 23, 2020 12:29am
The question is what did US do for pak after each time pak stood by them. US has done exactly what they Are warning of, china has not delivered that yet.
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Jan 23, 2020 12:34am
China can reject all it wants, but the truth is something else. There is no reason why China should charge us usurious rates of interest for this so called 'investment'. Why it should ask for sovereign guarantees is never explained. All the risk is ours and all the benefits are theirs. This CPEC is as transparent as the Trump's tax returns which are perennially under audit.
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Jan 23, 2020 12:35am
and what about US debt....thats in trillions. if something is not in their favour either black list it or put sanctions on it. same for huawie. just bcz its a US competetor. they discredit it and blacklist it. we know all their dirty tricks.
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Jan 23, 2020 12:37am
US will play any dirty trick to gain financially. just bcz its nit in their favour so its a foreign debt. US itself ows trillions in debt to china.
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Jan 23, 2020 12:38am
@yogi,
Instead of China-bashing, Indians should ask their own country why its millions and millions continue to have a miserable life while China's more than a billion people are enjoying a standard of life only second to the richest, e.g., North America, EU, Japan and Australia - New Zealand ! Both India Pakistan need to appreciate and imitate China rather than following the Western mirage which hey have been doing for more than a half century.
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Jan 23, 2020 01:08am
Let's keep the heads cool and start counting the benefits for Pakistan and then decide for yourself.
Did CPEC add to the Pakistan economy?
How many Pakistanis are employed by CPEC?
How many new startups or companies have relocated to economic zones?
What is the debt amount per capita for Pakistani citizens?
Is a common Pakistani better now with CPEC or was it better before CPEC?
Just sincerely answer to these questions and get your answer
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Jan 23, 2020 01:22am
@Girish, keep dreaming!
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Jan 23, 2020 01:24am
China exports is over $2500 bn and imports ~$2000 bn. Total trade is $4500 bn that is increasing every year.
Most of those export and import is from Middle east, Europe and Africa or western US. With CPEC fully operational, most of these trades would go through Pakistan and would benefit Pakistan economy.
IMHO, transit fees, toll money and handling would earn Pakistan over $100 bn if not more. Since these trades would use over 1500 miles of Pakistan territory, entire route would have business activities (hotels, restaurants, shops, petrol and gas stations, etc) that would provide jobs to millions of Pakistanis and billions of dollars in profits and other tak-ings for businesses over the route, and other billions spent in Pakistan.
Obviously, the debt related to CPEC would dwarf earnings and other income due to CPEC. China would benefit too, as their trade sea route through China sea, around Malaysia and India would end, reducing costs, plus this route would be politically safe.
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Jan 23, 2020 01:27am
@yogi, Don't worry we are keeping an eye on everyone.
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Jan 23, 2020 01:35am
@Pakistani, 100% agree
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Jan 23, 2020 02:22am
“In fact, international financial institutions including the Paris Club and IMF are the largest creditors of Pakistan. Loan for the CPEC is about $5.8 billion, accounting for 5.3 per cent of Pakistan's total foreign debt.
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Jan 23, 2020 02:29am
@Victoria Gardezi,
Except when we need USA's grants, military aid, developmental aid and IMF soft loans to payoff our Chinese predatory loans.
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Jan 23, 2020 02:29am
China certainly has and will continue to benefit more in this economic corridor. The name says it all! 220 million population is not a small market for anyone. Is Pakistan getting a fair share of the China 1.5 billion population market? I'd say no. And it never will.
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Jan 23, 2020 02:35am
America dumped Pakistan , long time ago , the American administration is trying to make a soft landing for Pakistan.
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Jan 23, 2020 02:49am
@yogi, your debt level is beyond repayment. You are owned by WB and IMF.
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Jan 23, 2020 02:50am
@narendranath paul, It will be but for some it's a gravy train that they will see pass them by.
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Jan 23, 2020 03:20am
CPEC is shrouded in secrecy and people will realise the penalty clause like Sri Lankans realised when Hambantota port was taken over by Chinese . Unlike, Sri Lanka case China will not take over any asset, but keep Pakistan in huge debt trap, so that IMF bailouts will be fed back to China. Next IMF bailout will be due to CPEC debt servicing. As 18 % contributer to IMF funding, US is well justified for communicating the valid concerns.
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Jan 23, 2020 03:54am
Do not forget what has happened to Sri Lanka!
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Jan 23, 2020 04:15am
@khurram, "During her current visit to Pakistan, news came that she presented a proposal on US behalf to get Pakistan out of FATF list iff CPEC could be compromised to a certain extent."
Source for this conspiracy theory?
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Jan 23, 2020 04:25am
@Raja Farhat Abbas, It's free now and if you want to take it later, then you have to pay for it.
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Jan 23, 2020 04:26am
@Pakistani, Exactly, that is the logic which served you so well so far.
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Jan 23, 2020 04:38am
How can we expect China to accept US analysis when it is not obeying UN judgement....
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Jan 23, 2020 05:03am
@Zainab , Where are grapes?
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Jan 23, 2020 05:16am
@Maud, the Chinese virus has arrived..
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Jan 23, 2020 05:18am
How many educated from Pakistan understand and realize that Pakistan s debt burden in growing enormously due to this cpec? China can say all it wants as that is in its interest. What really matters is how pakistanis understand and view it .
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Jan 23, 2020 05:40am
Just look at interest rate and China’s refusal to negotiate it now. They will take all the revenue back in interest payments so all Pakistan got is some local jobs and merchandise sale.
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Jan 23, 2020 05:51am
@Pindi express, you are expecting Chinese to write off such huge loans?
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Jan 23, 2020 06:03am
@joe, Can you name one American sponsored successful project any where in the world? Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam and many South American countries suffered because of US and European imperialism.
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Jan 23, 2020 06:49am
@yogi, indians sour grapes
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Jan 23, 2020 06:52am
@Girish, you mean like India, Kashmiri and New Citizenship law ?
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Jan 23, 2020 07:04am
US is just a dishonest so called friend....
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Jan 23, 2020 07:05am
US opposition to CPEC shows it is not in their interest...nothing to do with Pakistans interest....
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Jan 23, 2020 07:10am
Fact is CPEC has added loan on 2% USD rate. And USD has increased almost 70% in last 1.5 years. So basically Pakistan has to pay 73.5% interest for last year in terms of pakistani rupee. It is a huge debt. Further last year assessment from govt said 3.55% loss to GDP is due to CPEC.
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Jan 23, 2020 07:17am
Similarly China should keep away from India & Pakistan's matters. Dont bring in Kashmir issue to UNSC every month
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Jan 23, 2020 07:51am
What’s the status of CPEC by the way? Why no concrete reasoning to reject such criticism like profit made, trade volume, jobs generated etc?
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Jan 23, 2020 12:06pm
Well Mr Wells, until you can propose a better project for Pakistan, maybe you should hold your horses in criticising others especially without any backup figures. We dont need US to dirty up peoples' lenses over and over again.
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Jan 23, 2020 12:24pm
@Fairview, "How many educated from Pakistan understand and realize that Pakistan s debt burden in growing enormously due to this cpec?" We are used to of debt burden, it was there long before CPEC, and Pakistan is still here. Come up with better educated arguments against CPEC, apart from the fact that it is not in US interest.
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Jan 23, 2020 04:58pm
It is an open secret known to the entire world that, all US financed projects are the costliest in the world. Look at their own projects like space crafts. They are 10 to 15 times costlier than Chinese, or Indian crafts of similar specifications.
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