BEIJING (Boscutti Report) — The Chinese Government heaped praise on International Development Minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells for attacking its Pacific aid program.
Ms Fierravanti-Wells heaped scorn on Beijing’s burgeoning aid expenditure in the Pacific, accusing it of using concessional loans and aid payments to bolster its influence.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called the Minister’s comments ‘honest and forthright’.
‘When you live in a single surveillance state like China it’s hard to get a proper perspective,’ he said.
‘We thank Ms Fierravanti-Wells and the people of Australia for providing this opportunity for honest self-reflection.’