Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

A Chinese Foreign Ministry (FM) spokesperson on Thursday slammed three recent reports by a US think tank, which it said distort facts and take information out of context in a deliberate attempt to smear China's cooperation with West African countries.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks during a regular press briefing in response to a media question about three recent reports by the US-based Atlantic Council, which accused China of causing severe environmental degradation through its mining, forestry, and fishing activities in West Africa.

"China has followed the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, in promoting cooperation with Africa," Guo said, adding that such cooperation has supported Africa's economic growth and sustainable development and has been widely welcomed by the governments of African nations and their people.

"The growing enthusiasm in Africa for cooperation with China is the strongest testament to their mutually beneficial partnership," Guo said, noting that the Chinese government has consistently required Chinese enterprises operating overseas to strictly abide by local laws and regulations and will continue to guide them to uphold the concept of green development and integrate environmental protection into all aspects of China-Africa cooperation.

Guo emphasized that relevant reports by certain US think tank distort facts, take information out of context, and even cite unverified sources in a deliberate attempt to smear and attack normal cooperation between China and West African countries. 

"Such actions are clearly ill-intentioned and disgraceful," Guo noted, urging certain people in the US to stop spreading falsehoods and sowing discord from behind the scenes, and instead focus on doing something meaningful for the people of Africa.

Wang Peng, an associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday that Chinese enterprises operating in Africa strictly comply with local laws and regulations, and integrate green development throughout all projects. "The so-called environmental damage allegations lack a factual basis and disregard the long-term constructive cooperation between China and African countries," he said.

In recent years, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has continued to make new progress across various fields. According to customs data, in the first three quarters of 2025, China's total goods trade reached 33.61 trillion yuan ($4.6 trillion), up 4 percent year-on-year, with trade with Africa growing by 19.5 percent, outpacing the growth of trade with other regions.

Since December 1, 2024, China has granted zero tariffs on all product categories to all least-developed countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, including 33 African nations, becoming the first developing country and major global economy to implement such a measure.  

In June this year, the country announced the implementation of zero tariffs on all product categories for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties. "China is actively advancing the negotiation and signing of economic partnership agreements to roll out zero tariffs on all products for these African partners," a customs official said at a press briefing on October 13.

China's partnership with African countries has consistently promoted economic growth, infrastructure development, and sustainable practices, Wang said, adding, "These measures not only protect the environment but also ensure that cooperation truly benefits local communities."