China refutes Pompeo's accusations against BRI

A foreign ministry spokesperson on Thursday refuted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's criticisms against the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying that the international community is clear about which country is actually helping build infrastructure and promoting economic development.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang holds a daily press briefing on Thursday, June 27, 2019. [Photo: mfa.gov.cn]

"Nobody seems to buy Pompeo's attacks against the Belt and Road Initiative and his efforts of persuading other countries to withdraw from the Belt and Road cooperation seems to be in vain," foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing.

Geng's remarks came after Pompeo criticized China's Belt and Road Initiative saying that it "came not with strings attached, but with shackles" during his visit to India.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Foreign Ministry in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 26, 2019. [Photo: IC]

"If the Belt and Road Initiative is indeed a shackle like he said, why could the initiative receive positive support from so many countries and international organizations? If these countries do not join the Belt and Road cooperation, who would help them build infrastructure and promote economic development? Would it be the United States who always holds the banner of 'America First'? Is the United States willing to earmark the money and propose concrete measures?" Geng said.

He urged certain individuals in the United States not to "sing to one's own with no audience and ask for snub."