American Sentenced to Hang for Killing Ex-Wife in Malaysia

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4 September 2018, 17:29

The Old High Court Building in 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Two hundred percent. / Wikimedia Commons

KUALA LUMPUR — A Malaysian court sentenced an American man to death by hanging for killing his ex-wife, but the man will appeal Tuesday’s ruling on the grounds that he acted in self-defense.

Lawyer K.A. Ramu said the High Court found his client, 63-year-old Gerald Wayne Mickelson, guilty of murder in the November 2016 strangulation death of his ex-wife Guilda Mickelson.

Gerald Wayne Mickelson was working as a consultant in Malaysia, but planned to move to the Philippines to be with his new Filipino wife.

Ramu said Mickelson testified that he got into an argument with his ex-wife in a Kuala Lumpur hotel. He said the American acted in self-defense when his ex-wife started attacking him.

The court found otherwise in its ruling Tuesday.

“After evaluating all evidence, the court found he was guilty” as the post-mortem showed that Guilda Mickelson died of “fatal compression to the neck,” Ramu said, adding that she also suffered some head injuries.

After the incident, he said his client had called the hotel management for help and didn’t run away.

Mickelson cried after the brief ruling was read out in the courtroom and was consoled by his Filipino wife, Ramu said, adding that his client will appeal.

Street Wars: Bangkok Vendors Strike Back

By

JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

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4 September 2018, 16:31

Sellers take to the streets to take back the streets for vending Tuesday at the Government House in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Hundreds of vendors from throughout Bangkok marched Tuesday on the Government House to demand City Hall roll back years of regulations responsible for shutting down their street markets.

About 300 protesters this morning delivered to the military government’s seat of power a petition blaming metropolitan administrators for damaging their livelihoods with reckless policies and regulations in the first coordinated effort since the city’s campaign began in 2014.

“We wanted to petition the prime minister directly. Since stalls were banned [on sidewalks] we’ve been trying to negotiate with several City Hall agencies in the past two years, but no progress has been made,” said Pongsin Leein, vice president of Bangkok vendors network.

Pongsin said their petition was received by government representatives who promised a response from the prime minister within 30 days.

The campaign to clear the streets of informal markets and reclaim the city’s sidewalks started after the military seized the power in 2014. Over the years, it has seen several once bustling street markets shut down, including popular sites such as those at Pak Khlong Talad, Khlong Thom and Saphan Lek.

Pongsin said no satisfactory compensation has ever been offered to those affected. The court of public opinion has been split between those who see a loss of Bangkok’s chaotic charm and those for whom it is an overdue reckoning.

Tuesday’s action was the first time the vendors came together as one. Isolated resistance has been put up through the years, only to be put down by a determined City Hall response.

Bangkok officials were forced to blink last month when a bid to clear vendors from the sidewalks of Khaosan Road, who a year earlier had been promised exemption, met stiff opposition. The city mostly backed down with a promise to make good on the exemption.

Today, vendors representing many Bangkok districts demanded the ban on sidewalk sales be revoked in all places, for both old and new cases. Instead they want long-term rules devised and a seat at the policy-making table. They said they would welcome the new regulations so long as they’re allowed to sell from the sidewalk.

Raywat Chobtham, president of the association, said a meeting has been promised within the month with relevant agencies to find solutions together.

He has said City Hall has been thoughtless and hasty each time it pushed enforcement of the policy, forcing vendors out and hurting their lives without proper support or compensation.

The latest crackdown saw the world-famous Khaosan Road first targeted in July. Although officials eventually said vendors would be allowed to sell on the sidewalks, they would no longer be able to sell during the day once the official exemption comes into effect.

Yada Pornpetrumpa, president of the Khaosan Road Vendors Association, said district officials failed to set designated zones for stalls on the sidewalks Monday when they could not find enough space for all the vendors. She said she would notify City Hall of the problem today.

She added that the main conflict over the daytime ban remains unsettled after meeting with local officials about two weeks ago. She said they’ve heard nothing about their own proposal to self-regulate sales from the ministries who agreed to hear them out last month.

“I’m going to wait for a while longer to see whether we’ll be able to negotiate,” Yada said. “If nothing happens, I’ll have the vendors set up their stalls during the day starting next week.”

Related stories:

Khaosan Future Remains in Limbo

Defeated, City Hall Again Agrees to Exempt Khaosan

Deal Struck For Khaosan Vendors to Submit Alternate Rules

Khaosan Goes Quiet After Police Ignore New City Rules

Khaosan Vendors to Defy City Hall’s New Rules

Feeling Spurned, Khaosan Sellers to March on City Hall

Police the Cops Before ‘Choking Us,’ Khaosan Vendors Say

In Reversal, City Won’t Spare Khaosan, Chinatown Vendors

Discover Fine Japanese Cuisine in ‘Wa-Shoku-Matsuri’ Festival at Goji Kitchen + Bar (Sponsored)

By

Khaosod English

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4 September 2018, 15:48

BANGKOK — Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park is preparing to host Wa-Shoku-Matsuri, an exquisite celebration of fine Japanese cuisine.

The hotel’s leading Japanese chefs are busy sourcing the freshest ingredients to prepare luxurious menus for this ten-day food festival, which will be hosted from September 14-23, 2018, at Goji Kitchen + Bar, the popular international restaurant.

The highlight of this culinary celebration will be a traditional fish cutting demonstration, allowing diners to see an expert Japanese chef preparing a 40-kilogram bluefin tuna. This will take place on September 14, 15, 21 and 22 for dinner at 7:30 PM & on September 16 and 23 for Sunday brunch at 1:30 PM.

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Throughout Wa-Shoku-Matsuri, Japanese food lovers will be able to enjoy a wide range of authentic dishes in a Japanese buffet at Goji Kitchen + Bar. This includes freshly prepared sushi and sashimi with salmon and ikura (salmon roe), hamachi fish (yellow tail), tai (Japanese sea bream), hirame (Japanese flounder), anago (sea eel), hoki fish (blue grenadier), hotate (Hokkaido scallops) and more.

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In addition, there will be Japanese-style salads, takoyaki and oden stations, tempura, teppanyaki, grilled meats, noodle dishes and a shabu shabu station. There will also be a selection of delectable desserts, including taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped cake), green tea soft serve ice cream, and fluffy warabi mochi.

Buffet prices:

– Sunday – Thursday dinner: THB 1,388++ per person

– Friday – Saturday dinner: THB 2,299++ per person

– Sunday Brunch: THB 2,299++ per person

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Come and discover the great taste of Japanese cuisine at Goji Kitchen + Bar, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, during the Wa-Shoku-Matsuri Japanese food festival from September 14–23, 2018. For more information and reservations, please contact +66 (0) 2 059 5999 or email [email protected].

Johnnie Walker Launches Limited-Edition Whisky for Thailand (Sponsored)

By

Khaosod English

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4 September 2018, 15:35

BANGKOK — Johnnie Walker, the world’s leading Scotch whisky brand, has produced a limited-edition blended whisky for Scotch whisky lovers in Thailand for the first time in the world. The John Walker & Sons – Siam Blend has a remarkably distinctive taste profile that is specially tailored to suit Thai tastes. A total of 50 bottles of the limited edition Scotch whisky have been produced.

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Paul Sirisant, Marketing Director of Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand) Co Ltd, the leading importer and distributor of Johnnie walker in Thailand, said: “It’s an auspicious and special occasion that we’ve had the honour of having Jim Beveridge, the top master blender of Johnnie Walker, crafting the most exclusive whisky for Thailand for the first time called The John Walker & Sons – Siam Blend. To produce the special blend with a flavour that is to the taste of Thai lovers of Scotch whisky, the master drew much of his inspiration from different aspects of Thailand’s national identity during his visits to the country. The limited edition is exclusive in its characteristic taste and diverse mix of ingredients and indeed constitutes one of the most exclusive whiskies in the world.”

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“Apart from the whisky’s meticulous production process and procedures, we step up the exclusiveness of The John Walker & Sons – Siam Blend by unveiling the product in a ceremony which will be held at the British Embassy in Bangkok. The launch event is designed as a special treat honouring owners of the only 50 bottles of the signature blend available in the world. We are planning a special activity and preparing priceless gifts for the participants as well,” Paul adds.

In 2016, Jim Beveridge, the master blender of Johnnie Walker, took part in a “Signature Blending Whisky” session to create a signature blend with a unique taste for Thai drinkers. The event provided participants with the opportunity to explore a range of whiskies that pleased their palates. The event was designed as an exclusive whisky experience with a selection of finest whiskies introduced during the event coming from the Spirits Library of Johnnie Walker. After the event, the masterblender used the data he gathered from the session to develop a special whisky blend at the Johhnie Walker & Sons distiller in Scotland. When the development of this new blend was complete, the new whisky would be presented in a luxurious Austin crystal decanter set in an elegant veneer wooden box emblazoned with the bottle number and the handwritten name of Jim Beverage to highlight the exclusiveness of the limited edition product in the name of The John Walker & Sons – Siam Blend. Only 50 numbered bottles of the limited edition whisky blend have been produced and are available exclusively at Johnnie Walker Thailand only.

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The John Walker & Sons – Siam Blend leads with flavors of fresh orchard fruits and poached pear, characteristic of classic Speyside and Lowland distilleries. The fruity notes are swiftly followed by a toffee and vanilla sweetness from very mature grain whiskies, which combine with Speyside whiskies matured in American oak casks to give a gentle complexity and wonderful balance. $C:\Users\dell\Downloads\khaosodenglish68100\8.jpg$

On the palate, layers of honeyed sweetness and waxiness from the Highland whiskies give the fruity characteristics a dimension and additional depth of character. The finish is sweet and smooth; layers of fruit and butterscotch linger as the aroma of gentle Island smoke and a touch of spice carries forth the perfect length of finish. The whisky is best enjoyed neat or with a dash of water to release aromas.

$C:\Users\dell\Downloads\khaosodenglish68100\JW & Sons Siam Blend_180828_0004.jpg$

Live out the ultimate Scotch whisky experience today with the new exclusive whisky blend The John Walker & Sons – Siam Blend with a distinctive taste profile that is tailored exclusively for Thailand. For more information, visit www.johnniewalker.com.

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From Pakistan With Beats Comes ‘Alien Panda Jury’ to Safe Room

By

Mongkorn Timkul, Correspondent

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4 September 2018, 15:31

Daniel Panjwaneey. Photo: Pablo Lauf / Courtesy

Many would assume Pakistan lacked a music scene because of its strict religious and conservative views, but like hip-hop group Public Enemy said, “Don’t believe the hype.”

Deep in Karachi’s underground is a scene just as vibrant as any in Asia – and leading its way is Daniel Panjwaneey, aka Alien Panda Jury.

Panjwaneey, 32, is making serious strides for Pakistan’s electronic music. To date he’s released two EPs and numerous singles and collaborations with artists such as Phatcowlee from Nepal. Though tight-lipped about the details, Panjwaneey says he plans to release his latest album on a “well-known” German label later this year.

In 2011, he released his seven track-deep “New Earth EP,” which won praise for its lush sonic atmospherics, shoegaze vocals, electro-acoustic melodies and off-kilter grooves.

This Friday, he’ll perform works from his latest album at Soundistan x Tun Ten. Organized by founders Sameer Arshad and Sunju Hargun, the event will also feature DJs such as The Dude of Stratosphear, Elaheh and Junesis.

Before his Bangkok debut, Panjwaneey took time to trade messages about his hometown scene.

Panjwaneey has been involved in Karachi’s underground music scene since his teens. He grew up listening to heavy metal, eating cheesecake – which he says is life – and playing in a local metal band called Messiah. By 2010 he had started producing beats as Alien Panda Jury, an anagram of his name.

“[Pakistan] actually isn’t as conservative as some people would imagine,” Panjwaneey wrote. “Music is a big part of our culture but yes putting shows together is difficult mainly because of the high costs and red tape one has to get past with permissions to hold such events.”

According to Panjwaneey, Karachi’s scene is small – like most scenes in South Asia. But where Pakistan’s scene may lack in size, it makes up for in quality.

“There’s a few of us doing what we do here, it isn’t a big scene as such, but I’d say with each passing year that number of people doing stuff does grow,” he wrote.

Though Panjwaneey has yet to gain the worldwide recognition he deserves, his talents did catch the attention of Border Movement, a platform connecting South Asian artists in Berlin. Panjwaneey describes the residency as a “life-changing moment.”

“I got to experience and understand a lot about the club culture in Germany and could feel how it was used as a movement for resistance. The residency was held in Berlin which is a constantly inspiring city. It was amazing,” he said.

Alien Panda Jury will perform 10pm on Friday at Soundistan x Tun Ten at Safe Room Bangkok. Tickets are 350 baht at the door. Safe Room is located on the second floor of Whiteline on Soi Silom 8. It’s a short walk from BTS Chong Nonsi or a short ride from BTS Sala Daeng and MRT Silom.

Correction: This article was changed to reflect that the artist Panjwaneey collaborated with is Phatcowlee and not Mandal as was previously stated.

Police to Arrest 12 for Sharing Posts on Koh Tao Rape

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

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4 September 2018, 13:07

Police walk along a beach on Koh Tao, Sept. 1, 2018.

BANGKOK — Police said Tuesday that a dozen men will be arrested for sharing claims on Facebook that a British tourist was raped on the tourist island of Koh Tao.

Warrants were approved for arrest of the 12 after they shared posts by a Facebook page called CSI LA, which has been publishing reports about the alleged incident, deputy tourist police chief Surachet Hakpan said in an interview.

“We will begin arresting them tomorrow,” Maj. Gen. Surachet said. “We know where they live. They are all in Thailand.”

Once arrested, the 12 people who shared the news will be charged with violating the Computer Crime Act, Surachet said.

“It’s distortion of facts, and it damaged the country,” the officer said.

The alleged assault on June 26 was first reported by an English-language news site called Samui Times before CSI LA, which styles itself as a crowd-sourced investigative group, picked up the story and accused the police of a cover-up.

In a Thursday news conference, police said their investigation established no sexual assault took place as alleged by the woman’s family.

Police are also seeking the arrest of CSI LA’s admin, a Thai man living in Los Angeles called Pramook “David” Anantasin, and Samui Times editor Suzanne Buchanan, a Briton, on cybercrime charges. Both live outside Thailand, police said.

Parties Accuse Each Other of Defying Political Ban, Vote Buying

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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4 September 2018, 12:55

Former Redshirt hardliner Suporn Attawong now supports a pro-junta political party.

BANGKOK — Campaigning may still be banned by the junta, but some politicians are already accusing their peers of paying for party members and votes.

Accusations were traded as Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam warned Tuesday that campaigning would be tantamount to disturbing peace and order, adding that politicians are also watching out for illegal political activity, not just the government and Election Commission.

Suporn Attawong, a former Redshirt leader turned pro-junta politician accused the Phumjaithai Party of buying party members in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Suporn said 40 residents were offered 50 baht to 100 baht to register as members with the provincial Election Commission.

Calling it a smear campaign, Phumjaithai Party deputy secretary general Supachai Jaisamut on Monday denied that the people allegedly involved were members of his party. He threatened to sue Suporn in response.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said Monday that the party had learned about similar activities in the same province. He said volunteers were allegedly given ID cards and promised state welfare if they voted for a political party that supports junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha’s return as prime minister after the next elections, now slated for early 2019.

The party filed a complaint Tuesday morning at the Election Commission in Bangkok.

Dot Property Thailand Awards Honor 24 Developers, Agencies (Sponsored)

By

Khaosod English

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4 September 2018, 12:43

BANGKOK – A total of 24 awards were bestowed upon developers, projects, real estate agents and companies during the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 exclusive presentation ceremony at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok. All Inspire Development and Blue Horizon were among the night’s big winners.

“We are incredibly proud to announce the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 winners. These are truly the country’s best real estate developers, projects, companies and agents and they should all be applauded for their commitment to excellence. Our awards program continues to grow and this year’s presentation ceremony is a testament to that,” Neil Sutton, Dot Property Business COO and founder, proclaims.

The ceremony was an event the teams from All Inspire Development and Blue Horizon will remember for years to come. The former was presented with Best Developer Bangkok while the latter garnered honors for Best Developer Phuket. It was one of three awards on the night for Blue Horizon. The firm’s Grand Himalai development scored Best Investment Project Phuket and Best Mixed-Use Project Phuket.

The most anticipated moment of the evening came when the winner of the People’s Choice Award for Best Developer was revealed. All Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 winners were eligible for this honor which was voted on by the public in the weeks leading up to the ceremony. The votes were tallied and XXXX was presented with the People’s Choice Award for Best Developer this year.

Developers and agents from Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Samui, Hua Hin, Krabi and Isan were honored. Phuket-based Utopia Development took home a pair of awards while Mai Khao Beach Condotel also claimed two honors on the night.

Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 list of winners:

Developer Categories:

Best Developer Bangkok – All Inspire Development

Best Developer Phuket – Blue Horizon

Development Categories:

Best Investment Project Phuket – Grand Himalai

Best Mixed-Use Project Phuket – Grand Himalai

Best Condotel Phuket – Mai Khao Beach Condotel

Best Affordable Condominium Phuket – Mai Khao Beach Condotel

Best Villa Architectural Design Phuket – Utopia Maikhao Seaview Villas

Best Mid-Range Condo Development – Bayview Paradise

Best Waterfront Development Krabi – Koh Jum Beach Villas

Best Luxury Villa Development Hua Hin – Sivana HideAway

Best Villa Development Hua Hin – Red Mountain

Real Estate Contributors Category

Best Construction Company Phuket – Utopia Development

People’s Choice Award for Best Developer Thailand

All Inspire Development PCL

Thailand’s leading real estate agents celebrated

The Dot Property Thailand Awards also launched a new addition to the awards series; Thailand’s Best Real Estate Agencies presented by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. This special section of the awards highlighted 11 leading real estate agencies and pays tribute to the important role they play in the property market.

Thailand’s Best Real Estate Agencies 2018 presented by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® winners:

Accom Asia

Bangkok Residence 88

Century 21 Skylux

Horizon Homes

Isan Real Estate

Pattaya Foreigner Service

Pattaya Realty

Phuket Buy House

PhuketCondo.Net

St. James Properties

Vauban Real Estate

The Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 are organised by Thailand Property and Dot Property Thailand in conjunction with Dot Property Magazine. The Dot Property Awards series spans Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. More than 100 winners were honoured in 2017.

“With the addition of the People’s Choice Award for Best Developer and Thailand’s Best Real Estate Agencies 2018 presented by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018 has established itself as the can’t miss awards series in the Kingdom. We salute all of this year’s winners for being the best. We would also like to thank Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® for helping us provide Thailand’s real estate agents with a platform to shine,” Adam Sutcliffe, Dot Property managing director, Thailand, says.

For more information on the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2018, please visit www.dotpropertyawards.com or contact via [email protected]

Japan’s Takashimaya to Open With Iconsiam

By

Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

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4 September 2018, 11:54

The Shinjuku-ku branch of Takashimaya in Tokyo. Photo: Yoshikazu Takada / Flickr

BANGKOK — Shopaholics and Japanophiles can rejoice when a Japanese department store opens at a new, riverside luxury mall in two months.

Siam Takashimaya will anchor the new Iconsiam mall when it opens for business in November on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River at a sprawling site that will offer 36,000sqm of space spread over seven floors.

“This will become a haven for those who truly love Japan,” Kenji Horiguchi, managing director of Siam Takashimaya, said in a statement.

Siam Takashimaya is a joint venture between Japanese owner Takashimaya and Iconsiam’s Thai retail developer Siam Piwat, the firm also behind the Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery shopping malls.

The department store says it will offer 500 product brands, 180 of which will be Japanese, almost half of which haven’t been available on shelves in Thailand. They include men’s and women’s apparel, cosmetics, jewelry and more.

One floor will be dedicated to Japanese supermarkets and restaurants, including a Hokkaido Dosanko zone selling food, fruit, bento boxes and other products from Japan’s northernmost island.

Founded over 180 years ago in Kyoto, Japan, Takashimaya Co. Ltd. is a Japanese department store with branches in Singapore, China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

In November it was announced that Japanese competitor Don Quijote will anchor an upcoming mall in Soi Ekkamai 5 when it is slated to open in late 2018.

China’s Xi Pledges $60 Billion in Financing for Africa

By

Associated Press

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4 September 2018, 11:51

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during the high-level dialogue between Chinese and African leaders and business and industry representatives and the opening ceremony of the 6th China-Africa Entrepreneur Conference at the Beijing National Convention Center in Beijing Monday, Sept. 3, 2018 in Beijing, China. Photo: Lintao Zhang / Associated Press

BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday pledged $60 billion in financing for projects in Africa in the form of assistance, investment and loans, as China furthers efforts to link the continent’s economic prospects to its own.

Speaking to a gathering of African leaders in Beijing, Xi said the figure includes USD$15 billion in grants, interest-free loans and concessional loans, $20 billion in credit lines, $10 billion for “development financing” and $5 billion to buy imports from Africa.

In addition, he said China will encourage companies to invest at least $10 billion in Africa over the next three years.

China’s outreach to Africa aims to build trade, investment and political ties with a continent often seen as overlooked by the U.S. and other Western nations. That has provided lucrative opportunities for Chinese businesses, while African nations are often happy to accept China’s offers that come without demands for safeguards against corruption, waste and environmental damage.

No details were given on specific projects, although Xi said China was planning initiatives in eight areas, including providing $147 million in emergency food aid, sending 500 agricultural experts to Africa, and providing scholarships, vocational training and trade promotion opportunities.

The pledge comes on top of a 2015 promise to provide African countries with $60 billion in funding that Xi said had either been delivered or arranged.

Also Monday, Xi promoted Beijing’s initiative to build ports and other infrastructure as a tool for “common prosperity” in a world facing challenges from trade protectionism.

Addressing businesspeople prior to the formal opening of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Xi said the “Belt and Road” initiative will expand markets. He tried to mollify concern that Beijing wants to build strategic influence, promising Chinese investment comes with “no political strings attached.”

“Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise. Economic growth lacks robust drive,” Xi said in a speech. “China-Africa cooperation under the BRI is a way to common prosperity that brings benefits to both our peoples.”

African and other Asian leaders have welcomed “Belt and Road” but some projects have prompted complaints about debt and other problems. The initiative involves hundreds of projects, most of them built by Chinese contractors and financed by loans from Chinese state-owned banks, across an arc of 65 countries from the South Pacific through Asia to Africa and the Middle East.

In a major blow to China’s ambitions, Malaysia recently canceled Chinese-financed projects worth more than $20 billion, saying they were unnecessary and would create an unsustainable debt burden. Deeply indebted Pakistan is also reportedly reconsidering some projects in the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that is a key link in the BRI.

The Beijing forum brings together leaders from China and more than 50 African countries. Dozens of African leaders met with Xi ahead of the conference.

Xi made no mention of the political and debt concerns that overshadow some BRI projects. But Chinese officials previously have rejected accusations that projects leave host countries too deeply indebted to Chinese lenders.

“China’s investment in Africa comes with no political strings attached,” Xi said. “China does not interfere in Africa’s internal affairs and does not impose its own will on Africa.”

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