China Claims No Project In South Africa Has Been Seized By Beijing

The Chinese Embassy in Uganda on Sunday slammed foreign media speculations that China would "seize" control of Uganda's main international airport after the country failed to repay loans, saying that no project in Africa has been "seized" by China.

Photo Insert: Entebbe International Airport, Uganda

Malicious speculation that Uganda sacrificed core assets to China has no factual basis and distort the traditional friendship between China and developing countries, including Uganda, the embassy added, the China-backed Global Times reported.

"No project in Africa has ever been 'seized' by China because it could not repay its loan. On the contrary, China firmly supports and is willing to continue to make efforts to improve Africa's capacity for independent development," the spokesperson said.

The loan contract for Uganda's Entebbe International Airport reconstruction project was finalized in March, 2015, under which the Export-Import Bank of China offered $200 million in loan.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has progressed smoothly and 75.1 percent of the work has been completed thanks to concerted efforts by Chinese firms and Uganda authorities, according to the spokesperson, adding that the airport will be delivered by the end of 2022.

The spokesperson further noted that contracts for the project are in line with international financing rules.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic