File Photo: Agencies.

The China International Development Cooperation Agency and the Export-Import Bank of China, as official bilateral creditors, have suspended debt service payments from 23 countries worth a total of $1.353 billion, Finance Minister Liu Kun told the Chinese and foreign press on Friday.

The China Development Bank, as a commercial creditor, signed agreements with developing countries involving 748 million U.S. dollars by the end of September, Liu said in written answers to questions.

China tops G20 nations in terms of the deferral amount, according to the minister.