China Doesn't Want `Vanity Projects,' Xi Tells Africa Executives
- President gathers continent’s leaders Monday in Beijing
- Beijing faces skepticism over costly infrastucture initiatives
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President Xi Jinping is using a gathering of dozens of African leaders in Beijing to push back against criticism that China’s vast development initiatives risk saddling emerging economies with debt.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which begins Monday, provides a high-profile chance for Xi to defend his signature Belt and Road Initiative to develop roads, railways, ports, pipelines and other trade links. At a business event ahead of the summit, Xi said China had “full respect for Africa’s own will” and wasn’t interested in forming an “exclusive club.”