Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/BENGALURU: China and the United States (US) would hold deputy-level negotiations between their finance officials to discuss debt and other problems on the sidelines of the G20 finance meeting in India, two sources familiar with the issue.
The US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, ahead of a meeting of G20 finance ministers and the central bank governors near Bengaluru, that communication between China and the United States was significant for “the sake of the entire world”.
One of the sources, both of whom declined to be named as they weren’t authorized to negotiate with the media, said the range of multilateral problems would be discussed at the meeting, including debt.
US treasury spokesperson’s stance
The US Treasury spokesperson declined to comment when asked about the planned meeting. The Ministry of Finance of China and its central bank did not respond to a comment request.
The United States has repeatedly criticized China for “foot-dragging” on debt relief for dozens of low-and middle-income nations, including Sri Lanka.
China, the largest international bilateral creditor, urged G20 countries to conduct a fair, objective and in-depth analysis of the causes of world debt problems and to “resolve the issue comprehensively and effectively.”
