China is the most important bilateral donor for developing and emerging countries. A research team led by the Institute for the World Economy has now been able to analyze 100 Chinese loan agreements to developing countries for the first time. China.Table was given advance access to the underlying study. The Chinese contracts contain "unusually far-reaching secrecy clauses" and ensure Beijing priority over other creditors in the event of insolvency. Some contract clauses even allow Beijing to "potentially influence" the policies of debtor countries. Despite strict contractual clauses, Beijing regularly grants debt rescheduling and deferments.
Von Nico Beckert
Double standards in dealing with China: The US talks about values, but it means geopolitical influence. The Europeans also talk about values, but they mean economic interests. Meanwhile, sanctions help no one, certainly not the people of Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Instead of verbal armament and the military show of force of times past, the West should seek dialogue with Beijing. After all, everyone knows that the world's problems can only be solved with China, not against it.
Von Redaktion Table
Das Debakel um das auf Grund gelaufene Containerschiff im Suez-Kanal hat Peking einmal mehr vor Augen geführt, wie riskant es ist, sich zu abhängig von einem Transportweg mit einem Nadelöhr zu machen. Für China ist das noch viel mehr die 900 Kilometer lange Straße von Malakka bei Singapur, die an ihrem engsten Punkt nur 2,7 Kilometer misst. Die meisten Rohstoffe Chinas müssen durch diese Meeresenge. Deshalb versucht China seit Jahren schon im Rahmen der Belt and Road Initiative alternative Lieferwege aufzubauen. Es sind vor allem Pipelines.
Von Frank Sieren
