Xi Jinping: Investment in Africa has nothing to do with politics

"China does not interfere in the internal affairs of African countries and does not impose its will on Africa,"AFPSeptember 3rdn Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing. "China's cooperation with Africa is clearly aimed at removing bottlenecks in development."

Despite concerns about Chinese loans, Xi Jinping has announced that he will continue to provide financial aid to African countries. At the last forum in 2015, China pledged $60 billion in aid and loans to African countries.

The forum aims to promote the Belt and Road Initiative, which helps China access markets and resources and increase its influence abroad.

In African countries, China is investing in roads, railways, ports and other infrastructure projects. Analysts warn that these projects are turning some African countries into large debtors to China.

Although Chinese direct investment in Africa has declined slightly in recent years, from a record $3.4 billion in 2013 to $3.1 billion in 2017, according to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce,Beijing is still the main creditor of many countries on this continent. Of which, China holds up to 77% of the total debt ofDjiboutiAs of the end of 2016, Zambia owed at least $6.4 billion to China.

A study by the US-based Center for Global Development points to "serious concerns" regarding government debt in eight Asian, European and African countries receiving funds from the Belt and Road Initiative.

However, the Rwandan president, who is the chairman of the African Union, rejected any concerns about a "debt trap" and said it was an act to sabotage relations between China and the continent.“Those who criticize China for its loans are the ones who give too little,” he said in an interview with Xinhua.