Zambia’s debt to Chinese creditors was over $6 billion by the end of June, according to data disclosed by the government on Oct. 7. The Chinese regime’s lending practices have been labeled “debt-trap diplomacy,” as it provides developing nations with often unpayable loans for infrastructure projects, making them dependent on China.
The figures were published by Zambia’s recently elected new administration, after the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) released a report (pdf) last month estimating the country’s debt to Chinese lenders to be $6.6 billion. The new number is roughly double the amount divulged by the previous government.
