‘Outright lies’: China’s Ottawa embassy dismisses explosive AIIB claims
- Fallout from the explosive resignation of the bank’s global communications head has already sparked a Canadian investigation
- The Canada national Bob Pickard said party members dominate the development bank which has a ‘toxic culture’
Pickard, a Canadian national, said on Twitter that he had resigned from the China-backed global development bank because it was “dominated” by party members and that “Western publics” were not being “served by their membership in AIIB”.
Canada’s deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland quickly announced an “immediate halt” to all government activity with the bank while an “expeditious” review of the claims takes place.
Freeland also said she would be approaching Canada’s allies about the allegations, highlighting recent efforts by Western countries to “de-risk” their economies from China, which drew a sharp rebuke from the embassy.
An embassy spokesperson said “relevant individuals’ remarks on the AIIB are purely sensational hype and outright lies”.
02:13
Chinese Canadians caught in the crossfire as Canada-China tensions rise
“As an important member of the AIIB, China has always followed multilateral rules and procedures, and participated in decision-making through multilateral governance mechanisms such as the Council and the Board of Directors,” the spokesperson said.
“The real risks facing the world are camp confrontation and a ‘new Cold War’. China is an active contributor to maintaining world peace, promoting common development, and responding to global challenges.”
Pickard, who joined the bank in March 2022, wrote on Twitter that he had grown “concerned” for his security while working for AIIB, which he claimed had a “toxic work culture”.
In its own statement on Wednesday, AIIB disputed his claims, saying it had “empowered” and “supported” Pickard throughout his tenure.
The AIIB was founded in Beijing in 2016 and is regarded by some as a Chinese alternative to the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
02:19
China retaliates against Canada by ordering Shanghai-based Canadian diplomat to leave
Its 106 members include most Asian countries, as well as Australia, Russia, France and Britain – but not Japan or the US.
Canada officially joined the AIIB in March 2018 to promote “inclusive global economic growth”, according to the Canadian finance ministry’s website.
Canada’s governing Liberal Party has been under mounting pressure to adopt a tougher stance on China, amid allegations of interference from Beijing in Canadian elections.
The opposition Conservative Party has long criticised Canada’s involvement in the AIIB, calling it a “tool” for Beijing to “export authoritarianism”.
