COLOMBO (NewsRadio); China has rebuffed claims made by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States Victoria Nuland that China has not done enough to help Sri Lanka secure a deal with the International Monetary Fund.
Earlier this week, while in Sri Lanka US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said the United States wants China to provide credible and specific assurances to the IMF along with other creditors to help Sri Lanka unlock a USD 2.9 billion bailout.
Secretary Nuland told reporters, “What China has offered so far is not enough. We need to see credible and specific assurances that they will meet the IMF standard of debt relief”.
Meanwhile, last month, the Export-Import Bank of China offered Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on its debt and said it would support the country’s efforts to secure an IMF program.
Secretary Nuland added “We want to see an IMF program as quickly as possible. That is what Sri Lanka deserves, that is what Sri Lanka needs”.
In response to the assertion, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson of China Mao Ning said “What was said by the US side does not reflect the truth.”
Speaking during a regular press conference Spokesperson Mao Ning said the Export-Import Bank of China has already provided Sri Lanka with a letter to express support for its debt sustainability and Sri Lanka has responded positively and thanked China for that.
She said, “Rather than jabbing fingers at China’s close cooperation with Sri Lanka, the US might as well show some sincerity and actually do something to help Sri Lanka weather through the current difficulties.”
Spokesperson Mao Ning went onto to say that as a friendly neighbor and true friend, China has been closely following the difficulties and challenges facing Sri Lanka and providing assistance for its economic and social development to the best of our capabilities.
She added that as to Sri Lanka’s debt to the Chinese side, the government supports Chinese financial institutions in having consultations with Sri Lanka to seek a proper settlement.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson of China Mao Ning noted that China stands ready to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions and continue to play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka navigate the situation, easing its debt burden and helping it achieve sustainable development.
