A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday refuted a U.S. official's smearing remarks on China-Africa cooperation.
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton rolled out the Trump administration's new Africa strategy on Thursday, using a hostile and competitive tone against countries like Russia and China.
Calling the two countries' commercial cooperation with African nations "predatory practices," Bolton asserted that they "stunt economic growth in Africa, threaten the financial independence of African nations, inhibit opportunities for U.S. investment, interfere with U.S. military operations and pose a significant threat to U.S. national security interests."
In response, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang stressed, "What China cares about is African countries' needs, such as industrialization and agricultural modernization."
"In contrast, it is interesting to see from the remarks of some Americans that, besides its own interests and demands, the U.S. is concerned about China and Russia rather than Africa," Lu added.
He 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.
As facilitating Africa's peace and development is the common responsibility of the international community, China has always adopted an open-minded attitude toward Africa-related international cooperation, and believed that all parties' investments in the continent on the basis of respect should be welcome, Lu said.
"Meanwhile, cooperation should be carried out on the premise of Africa's will and needs and without any political strings attached and interference in internal affairs," he added.
The spokesperson reiterated 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.
