Beijing (People's Daily) - German reports which smear China-Africa cooperation are completely nonsense and nothing new, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Friday.

MFA spokesperson Hua Chunying at a regular press conference on November 9, 2018. (Photo: fmprc.gov.cn)

“I hope that the relevant media will adjust their attitude and objectively and fairly report the cooperation between China and African countries. Repeatedly ignoring basic facts and fabricating lies will only damage their own credibility and invite humiliation,” MFA spokesperson Hua Chunying told a regular press conference in Beijing.

German newspaper Bild published an article on its website, accusing China of intelligence gathering from the African Union (AU) on Thursday.

“The false accusations have long been strongly refuted by all parties involved. AU Commission chairman Moussa Faki and many African leaders, including leaders from Ethiopia and the Republic of the Congo, have already made it clear that the relevant reports are complete lies. German media is speculating on this matter, showing its ulterior motives,” said Hua.

“I believe the African people have the best say over China-Africa cooperation. At the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, leaders of many African countries publicly refuted the fallacy that China-Africa cooperation has aggravated Africa's debt burden, clearly pointing out that their countries in urgent need of capitals are aspiring for development and cooperation. The support and assistance China has offered have no political strings attached at all and does not interfere in their domestic affairs. They welcome and appreciate what China has done, and commend China as Africa's most trustworthy partner in the continent's pursuit of development and revitalization,” Hua pointed out.

“Not long ago, the former president of the German Federal Parliament Norbert Lammert visited Namibia and expressed his concern about the rising influence of China in Namibia in his meeting with Namibian President Hage Geingob. Geingob said that ‘the so-called concerns of some countries about China’s influence in Namibia are annoying. Please do not underestimate African people’s IQ. The African people know how to handle their own affairs’,” she added.

Cover image: File photo