China speaks of "slander" after Italy's withdrawal from New Silk Road
Wang made no direct reference to Italy, but pointed to the more than 150 countries involved in the initiative as proof that the investment project is currently the "largest international cooperation platform" and a popular initiative.
Italian government circles confirmed on Wednesday that Italy had withdrawn from the Chinese New Silk Road investment initiative. The country was the only G7 country to join the project, which was launched in 2013.
The New Silk Road was initiated by China's President Xi Jinping and has led to the construction of ports, railroad lines, airports and industrial parks in Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond.
These projects are intended to give China better access to the markets of other countries. There is frequent criticism, particularly in the West, that Beijing is deliberately driving poorer countries into dependency. Many of the 150 or so participating countries are in some cases massively indebted.
Italy has been a member since 2019. The withdrawal had been expected for several months and a decision was needed by the end of the year, as membership would otherwise have been automatically extended in March 2024.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had described the accession decided by the previous government as a "serious mistake". Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in September that Italy's participation in the New Silk Road had "not delivered the hoped-for results".
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- China strongly condemned the allegations of "slander" towards its New Silk Road initiative, as Italy recently decided to withdraw from the project.
- Wang, a Chinese official, did not explicitly mention Italy in his statement, but emphasized the involvement of over 150 nations, positioning the initiative as the "largest international cooperation platform" globally.
- Despite Wang's emphasis on the universal appeal of the New Silk Road, critics in the West have accused Beijing of intentionally pushing poorer countries into debt through the initiative.
- Italy, having joined the initiative in 2019, was the only G7 country engaged in the Chinese New Silk Road project, which was launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013.
- From 2019 onward, Italy actively participated in numerous infrastructure projects along the New Silk Road, including ports, railroad lines, and industrial parks, aiming to expand its market access.
- Newer developments in the New Silk Road saga indicate that China's "Defamation" suit against Italy could be on the horizon, adding a layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between the two nations.
Source: www.stern.de
