Among the most controversial of China’s international initiatives is its large-scale lending to low-income countries. Critics contend Beijing is ensnarling unsuspecting needy nations in “debt traps” that render them defenseless against Chinese power. Others argue that’s a myth and China’s program is deeply misunderstood.
Either way, there’s a bottom line: China’s lending is a big part of the debt distress facing the world’s poorest countries, and Beijing’s cooperation with the international community is critical for any comprehensive solution. The real question is whether China’s leaders will play ball.
