When cooperating with Africa, China always respects and protects the fundamental interests of African countries and their people, never interferes in their internal affairs, and attaches no political strings when providing aid, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry Lu Kang said on Friday.
Providing support and assistance to African countries for their independent and sustainable development conforms to the interests of both African people and the people of the entire world, and is the common responsibility of the international community.
Lu made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on U.S. national security adviser John Bolton's speech about China's influence in Africa.
“Great-power competitors, namely China and Russia, are rapidly expanding their financial and political influence across Africa,” Bolton said in a speech at the Heritage Foundation on Thursday.
Washington's top priority will be developing economic ties with the region to create opportunities for American businesses and protect the independence of African countries along with U.S. national security interests, Bolton added.
While cooperating with Africa, China is concerned more about what African countries really need, such as industrialization and agricultural modernization, but the U.S. talked more about China and Russia rather than Africa, Lu noted. "It is very interesting."
"Who is to bring benefits to Africa and who on Earth has ulterior motives? The Chinese saying 'justice naturally inhabits man's heart' can answer these questions," the spokesman added.
Lu also recalled that during the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the General Debate of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, many African leaders articulated their countries' desire for development and appreciation of China's support.
Lu went on to say that as mutually-beneficial cooperation moves forward, China will continue to build relations with Africa based on sincerity, affinity and good faith, uphold justice and pursue shared interests.
China and Africa will jointly implement consensus reached by the leaders during the 2018 Beijing Summit of the FOCAC and further advance their comprehensive strategic partnership, Lu added.