China to forgive loans to African countries

China has pledged to waive 23 interest free loans to 17 African countries in an effort to counter accusations that Beijing is engaged in trapping developing countries in debt which it will one day recoup by grabbing strategic assets. The cancellations were announced by the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, at a meeting of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation. Hassan Arouni speaks to Professor Steve Tsang director of the SOAS China Institute.

Also in the programme residents from Kericho County in Kenya seek compensation from the former British colonial power for driving them off their lands; and African health ministers endorse a strategy to treat noncommunicable diseases.

(Photo: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Credit: EPA)