Chinese envoy slams former Maldivian President, denies debt 'trap-making'

Chinese envoy slammed former Maldivian President on December 14 for saying that 'Maldives-China FTA is de'. During an interview with a media outlet, former Maldivian President and speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed said that Chinese government needs to restructure debt accrued in island nation.

Angered by remarks, Chinese envoy to Maldives, Ambassor Zhang Lizhong said in a series of tweets that 'China is a contributor' and ' t a trap maker'. Zhang also said that Beijing's investment in Maldives is similar to approach of or nations and t a trap for debt. 

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Nasheed's statements on China

Previously in September,  Nasheed lashed out and compared China to East India Company. He accused Bejing of grabbing more land than East India Company ever did without firing a bullet. In his dress to Indian Ocean Conference in Male, former President accused his previous Government, under Abdulla Nasheen, of putting country in deep debt in collusion with China. 

“Get a hold of government, buy up a parliament, change laws, get unsolicited contracts n inflate price of contract to level due to which business plans failed here. Give commercial loans and n, off course, y will t be able to pay it back. When you can’t pay it back, y ask for equity; and with equity, you relinquish sovereignty, including peace of Indian Ocean. I am referring to China,” Nasheed said describing China's modus operandi. 

Nasheed served as fourth president of Maldives from 2008 to 2012. He was country’s first democratically elected president, ending three deces rule of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Nasheed was unanimously chosen to he country’s Parliament or People’s Majlis in May, by his Maldivian Democratic Party after it won a near three-quarter majority in 87-member assembly in April.

Until vember, former president was in exile. He returned after Supreme Court cleared him of Terrorism charges imposed by previous regime. 

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