The government released a statement on Monday, denouncing former President Mohamed Nasheed's estimate of the nation's USD 3.2 billion debt owed to the Chinese government as a false denomination.
In a statement given to local news 'Mihaaru', Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed responded to Nasheed's claim by attesting that the government debt to China is far below 3.2 billion dollars, assuring that figures pertaining to the debt to China will be released soon.
Although this is the last week in-office for the incumbent government, statements regarding the current position of the national debt are yet to be released.
“Maldives should not be concerned about her debts”
Insisting that the loans given by the Chinese should be repaid solely from revenue generated by the government, Nasheed demanded that Maldives should settle the payment in timely instalments deemed feasible as per the state revenue.
Minister Saeed classed Nasheed's claims of the high government debt incurred over China-funded projects undertaken in the Maldives as wrongful accusations made against the government, adding that the projects that were carried out had met all of the international standards.
During President Yameen's administration, the Chinese government aided the Maldivian government in the undertaking of major projects such as ‘Sina-Male’ Bridge’, the expansion of Velana International Airport and several housing projects across the Maldives.
The ‘Sina-Male Bridge’, constructed by the China Communication and Construction Company (CCCC) cost the Maldivian government USD 200 million, of which USD 116 million was given as ‘free aid’.
Overall, USD 72 million was given as a loan by the Chinese government in order to complete the project. The Maldivian government, on the other hand, spent USD 12 million from its budget on the building of the bridge.
The Chinese firm, Bridge Urban Construction Group (BUCG), helped construct the new runaway that was built in the Velana Internation Airport after the Maldivian government decided to take on a loan
of USD 400 million from China's Exim Bank. In addition to the runway, the firm promised the formation of a fuel farm that would protect 45 million tonnes of fuel, as well as a cargo facility that provided space to hold 80,000 tonnes of cargo.
Meanwhile, members of the opposition have expressed their concerns over the China's “debt trap” diplomacy, some stating their belief that the biggest struggle faced by President-Elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his term would be paying back the debt owed to the Chinese government.