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China-Africa Blanket Debt Forgiveness Not in the Cards

Salem Solomon

   WASHINGTON - As China tightens its belt economically in response to the
   coronavirus, African leaders are anxious about the future of
   infrastructure projects, trade and, in some cases, are requesting debt
   relief.

   China is Africa's largest trading partner with over $200 billion in
   combined imports and exports annually. China has also financed billions
   of dollars of infrastructure projects like roads, ports and railroads
   across the continent.

   But COVID-19 has taken a toll on the world economy, harming African
   countries' ability to repay debt and decreasing China's willingness to
   invest abroad. Observers are looking for signs as to how the
   China-Africa relationship will change in the wake of the virus.

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