The Chinese Embassy in El Salvador issued a communique this afternoon explaining China’s policy on economic aid that it provides to developing nations like El Salvador. The Salvadoran legislature earlier this week approved the implementation of a previously negotiated $500 million grant agreement signed with China by President Nayib Bukele, an agreement which met with sharp displeasure from the U.S. State Department. Excerpts from the Chinese statement follow:
“1.– China develops friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which are: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; mutual non-invasion; non-interference in internal affairs; equality and sharing of benefits; and peaceful coexistence. As the largest developing country in the world, in the framework of South-South cooperation and within the limits of its ability, China provides aid to developing countries throughout the world, and these projects do not involve any political conditions or geopolitical considerations.
“2.– The nature of China’s aid projects are that of grants; they are not profitable commercial or investment projects. The Chinese side takes care of the entire process of market research, design and construction of the projects…
“Communication and coordination with the government of the receiving country is always maintained, strictly complying with all the laws and regulations of both countries, with no risk of corruption. Once they are finalized, the projects are completely handed over to the benefiting country under the turn-key modality… They represent great opportunities in terms of employment, improvement of infrastructure, stimulus to economic growth, and promotion of the welfare of the population that benefits from this help.
“3.– China and El Salvador established diplomatic relations on the basis of the principle of One China. All of China’s grant projects with El Salvador were proposed by the Salvadoran government, based on the needs of their population, and were not decided unilaterally by China.
“Currently the projects of the National Library, the National Stadium, the water treatment plant on Lake Ilopango, and the La Libertad Wharf are moving forward…
“4.– China is firmly opposed to the powerful nations’ trampling of nations that are fighting for their development under less favorable conditions. China has never in the past, nor will it in the future, use foreign aid to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, let alone to gain benefit from them. Cooperation between China and El Salvador is not targeted against any third party.”