Recently, a senior official of Kenya said that debt to China is "suffering" Kenya's economy and demanded a 50-year extension to repayment of Mombasa-Naibo Railway Chinese loan.
Kenya's newly appointed Transport Minister said that the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway will not be able to make profits in 50 years, so it is impossible to pay Chinese loans from railway revenue.
Mondaya Railway is a model project of the Belt and Road Initiative and the largest infrastructure construction project since Kenya's independence. The Mombasa-Nairobi Railway is 480 kilometers long and connects the eastern port of Kenya with the inland capital Nairobi , with a total investment of US$3.8 billion. China provides 90% advance loans and undertakes the construction of the project. Kenya promises to repay the loan within 15 years.
This railway was not when it was first tendered by Western countries . It is generally believed that Kenya lacks enough financial resources to support such a huge project, and the loan risk is extremely high. Finally, at the initiative of the Kenyan government, China resolutely took over the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway Project in line with the spirit of China-Africa friendship and the purpose of expanding the Belt and Road Initiative, and contributed people and money to help Kenya chew this hard bone.
In addition to the promise, Kenya has basically paid nothing and obtained a modern electrical railway. On the day of completion, the Kenyans were ecstatic and the president danced happily on the scene.
Mondaya Railway has now become the main economic artery of Kenya. As of July 2019, the Mombasa Railway has sent more than 4.3 million passengers, with an average attendance rate of more than 95%, and cargo transported more than 9.3 million tons.
Monday Railway was completed during the previous presidential term. After the election of the new term was held in Kenya in 2022 and the new president took office, he had an ambiguous attitude towards debt issues towards China, and began to agree with the so-called Western argument that China has caused a debt trap in Africa, and accused China of carrying out construction projects to the local area for unemployment, environmental protection and other issues.
Judging from the entrepreneurial and life experiences of a large number of Chinese people in Africa, Africans generally lack the spirit of modern contract and gratitude, are light and trustworthy, and have weak moral binding. They often take the love and assistance of Chinese people for granted. Africa is politically turbulent, and the change of government is like a flippant. Investment in Africa, risks and opportunities coexist.
There is a Chinese person stationed in Africa who recalled after retirement and mentioned an impressive scene.
At a certain occasion, African officials told China: "We Africa are very poor, please increase our efforts to aid Africa!"
Chinese personnel explained: "China is also a developing country, and all conditions are also difficult. I hope African friends can understand it!"
African officials were a little dissatisfied: "You already have so many high-rise buildings, much richer than us. We can't even eat. You should help us more!"
It is obvious that this African official did not understand or realized the relationship between the two sides. China's aid to Africa is helping, not an obligation. The Chinese are caring but it does not mean that the Chinese are suckers. According to its own situation, China provides Africa with some assistance to its best, and does not expect you to be grateful and rewarded, but you still think that you are giving too little... This value and logic are too different from that of the Chinese.
The idea of this African official more or less represents a mentality that is common to Africans. Try your best to seek and not work hard. Africans generally do not like to farm. The prairie is their natural granary. It is effortless to eat and drink all the food and drink and then pick it.
Kenya requires the loan repayment period to be significantly extended from 15 years to 50 years. It is obviously a sky-high price, which is suspected of cheating and lacks basic respect for the intergovernmental agreement between the two sides. This time it can be extended to 50 years, next time it can be found a reason to extend it to 100 years, or simply ask for debt forgiveness. The friendship and tolerance of the Chinese are no less than encouragement to debtors who lack credibility.
Considering that in cooperation with countries in the Belt and Road, China undertakes many major projects from other countries, it is a common situation that China advances funds to undertake. If Kenya is easily allowed to postpone loan repayment, it will inevitably have a bad impact on China's future recovery of government investment in other countries.
China's money is not blown by the strong wind, it is the wealth accumulated by the Chinese people's hard work for decades. They should invest and recover with caution.
By the way, a Chinese video blogger who traveled in Kenya revealed that cracks and holes from large and small stones appeared on the windows of each carriage of the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, which made the Chinese feel very regretful and puzzled. Kenyans should learn how to cherish and maintain outstanding modern civilization works!
Welcome to follow Lao Zheng’s in-depth observation!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-