China hits back at Pompeo's 'debt-trap' diplomacy claim

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang, during a press conference on March 28, stressed that a lie, even repeated a thousand times, will still be a lie, after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed Italy's involvement in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Pompeo publicly expressed his disappointment after Italy's government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to become the first G7 country to join the BRI, adding China is engaging in spying through its enterprises and poses risks through its technology companies.

Geng responded that China has been carrying out cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and with no political strings attached.

"The amount of debts they have incurred from cooperation projects with China only accounts for a very small proportion of their total debts, and no country has fallen into the so-called 'debt trap' because of cooperation with China," he said.

Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan (L) and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio shake hands after signing trade agreements at Villa Madama in Rome, Italy, March 23, 2019. /Reuters Photo

"The U.S. allegations are not supported by facts. Such random smear campaigns against China will get nowhere."

The U.S. has notably urged nations not to choose Chinese telecom giant Huawei to upgrade to fifth-generation communications, voicing privacy and security fears.

Critics say that the United States is mostly trying to shore up its own businesses which are facing tough competition, with Huawei selling phones that are substantially cheaper than Apple's.

"China has been asking its enterprises to strictly abide by local laws and regulations when running their businesses overseas. Some forces in the U.S., driven by political motives, have been leaving no stones unturned in attempts to crush Chinese enterprises and peddle the theory that China is spying through its enterprises," Geng said.

The contracts signed between China and Italy last Saturday are worth 2.5 billion euros (2.8 billion U.S. dollars), and subsequent contracts may exceed 20 billion euros, according to Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio.

Chinese Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Liu Yuzhu (L) and Italian Minister of Culture Alberto Bonisoli pose after signing trade agreements at Villa Madama in Rome, Italy, March 23, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he is very glad to seize the opportunity and participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road and is convinced that it will help to fully tap the potential of Italy-China cooperation.