On Monday, U.S. lawmakers Young Kim and Colin Allred introduced a new bill called the ‘Stopping PRC Environmental Exploitation and Degradation Act’ (SPEED). The bill seeks to address the negative effects of Chinese investments in Africa, particularly those connected to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
China has become a major player in Africa through this initiative, acting as a significant trading partner, creditor, and investor.
According to the lawmakers, China’s involvement in Africa has led to serious environmental and public health issues. They argue that China’s approach, known as ‘debt-trap diplomacy,’ often results in harmful consequences for local communities and important natural areas. This means that while China provides loans and investments, it sometimes creates conditions that leave African nations in financial trouble, all while damaging the environment.
Young Kim, chairwoman of the Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, expressed her concerns about China’s actions. “We cannot allow Xi Jinping to grow his global influence at the expense of international environmental and labor standards,” she said. Kim emphasized the importance of the SPEED Act in holding China accountable for its harmful practices in Africa.
Colin Allred also voiced strong support for the bill. He stressed that it is crucial to prevent Chinese-linked companies from exploiting African nations and causing ecological and health problems. The SPEED Act, he said, will enhance U.S. policy, introduce sanctions, and ensure that the Chinese government is held responsible for negative environmental and health impacts in Africa.
The proposed SPEED Act aims to counter China’s influence by establishing a U.S. policy against PRC-linked entities that do not follow local and international laws related to environmental protection and labor. The bill will direct the U.S. State Department and USAID to develop strategies to help African countries recover from environmental damage caused by Chinese companies. It will also impose sanctions on those responsible for such damage.
A report titled ‘China’s Environment Abuses’ was cited in the bill’s findings. The report argues that China’s approach to natural resource exploitation and environmental neglect through the BRI poses a threat to the global economy and health.
The bill highlights that over the past two decades, China has significantly increased its economic activities in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite varying legal systems across countries, Chinese companies often violate both local laws and international regulations. Their activities, such as mining, drilling, logging, and fishing, have raised serious concerns about their impact on local ecosystems, public health, and the well-being of African communities.
The SPEED Act represents a significant step by the U.S. to address these issues and promote more responsible practices by Chinese companies operating in Africa.
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