China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Xue Bing, has dismissed persistent “debt trap” accusations aimed at China-funded projects in Africa as a deliberate smear campaign. He encouraged African think tanks and scholars to speak out and “tell the real story” of Sino-Africa cooperation and development.
Speaking during the Third Seminar on the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa co-hosted by the African Policy Institute and the Chinese embassy in Kenya, in Nairobi, Ambassador Xue highlighted that over 35% of the “debt trap” narratives in 2021 were directed at Kenya, driven by what he described as orchestrated misinformation by certain Western actors.
“In recent years, certain international actors have frequently weaponized the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR debt issue to smear and attack China-Kenya and China-Africa cooperation,” said Xue.
“As think tank scholars who shape policy discourse and steer public opinion, I hope you to articulate the true story of the SGR and China-Africa partnership and debunk disinformation and smear campaigns in a timely manner.” The veteran diplomat added
According to Xue, this approach will help cultivate a fact-driven and positive environment essential for the project’s sustainable operation and the future development of the economic belt. He noted that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), often cited in these narratives, has safely operated for eight consecutive years, transporting over 15 million passengers and more than 40 million tonnes of freight.
Xue stated that the SGR has directly contributed to a 15% increase in industrial output along the corridor.
Defending China-Africa cooperation
Ambassador Xue reiterated that China honours its commitments and that the country’s infrastructure financing model is centred on long-term, mutually beneficial outcomes —”not exploitation.”
He reiterated China’s growing openness, referencing President Xi Jinping’s announcement that all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China will enjoy 100% tariff-free treatment under the newly signed Cooperation Agreement for Development and Partnership (CADEPA).
“This voluntary opening of China’s market to African goods is not only a show of goodwill but a statement of China’s international responsibility as a leading global economy,” Xue remarked.
During the forum themed “China-Africa Modernization and the Standard Gauge Railway Economic Belt” Xue proposed the development of the SGR Economic Belt by ensuring safe, uninterrupted SGR operations, aligning growth corridors with Kenya’s Vision 2030, clustering industries, enhancing value chains, and promoting factual, positive narratives about China-Africa relations.
He underlined that efforts must now focus on transforming the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR corridor into an economic engine, rather than merely a transport link.
The envoy highlighted the importance of African scholars in building consensus and shaping public opinion through evidence-based analysis that truly reflects the spirit of cooperation between China and Africa.
“We welcome think tank scholars to pool expertise, propose feasible suggestions for implementing the Outlook and advancing the SGR Economic Belt construction, and make bigger contribution to strengthening China-Kenya and China-Africa partnerships. In closing, I wish this symposium a full success,” he stated.
The symposium follows closely after the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Ministerial talks in Changsha, China. The meeting in Changsha was convened to further the full implementation of the outcomes achieved at the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, where Africa and China endorsed the pursuit of modernization characterised by equity, openness, people-centredness, inclusiveness, sustainability, and peace.
“Encouraging early harvests have been achieved through our collective efforts,” Xue remarked.
Xue, a former ambassador to Papua New Guinea, is an experienced diplomat with a diverse background in Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. Since his appointment as the special envoy for Horn of Africa affairs in February 2022, he has been responsible for fostering close communication and coordination to support the implementation of the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa.
