China claims 'US paying $1000 per news article' to slander its BRI in Zimbabwe

In response to report detailing  US plan to ‘discredit’ Chinese investments in Zimbabwe, Beijing has called on Washington to do more practical work for African people and “show respect.”

According to China's state media Global Times, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Friday, October 15, said that international communities including African nations have a clear understanding of massive false information spre by US. 

Zhao’s remarks came after Zimbabwe's newspaper, Herald, claimed in a report on September 21 that Washington is funding and even training local reporters to write anti-China stories in a bid to smear Chinese investments. It ded that strategy was a part of an “intricate pan” that involves or European and rdic nations along with Africa.

Herald has claimed that plan to discredit Chinese businesses include “disinformation, lies, and sensationalism in independent media and social platforms.”

In ar massive allegation, report said that each story that portrays Chinese business as “unethical, reckless, without values” would get a $1,000 reward from United States. Reacting to report, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that $1,000 can help fund a poor student in Zimbabwe or even buy at least 100 doses of COVID vaccine. Zhao called issue a “serious matter” if United States government is indeed hiring an “army” to spre rumours.

Global Times, which is considered mouthpiece of Chinese Communist Party (CCP), quoted Zhao as saying that US has w resorted to extreme measures to discredit China and even dam relations between China-Africa, paying money to spre lies.

report also stated, "If you don’t compare, you kw thing; but moment you kw, you will be shocked. China urges US to show respect for African people, and play a constructive role in Africa's ecomic recovery and development."

China planning to ban on private sector investment in media

Meanwhile, in China, CCP is mulling to d private sector investment in media organisations to a list of ‘banned investments.’ As per Rio Free Asia report, proposed measure has been posted on Xi Jinping-led Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) website, stating that State Development Reform Commission (SDRC) is ‘soliciting public opinion’ on ding private sector investment in media organisations to list of banned investments in country. move has alrey drawn criticism by China-based commentators, who term it as 'thorough brainwashing.'

IM: AP