ISTANBUL

China on Friday asked the US "to do something concrete" for Africa instead of criticizing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

"It is easier to criticize than to do better. We hope the US will actually step up as well, deliver on its funding commitments and do something real and concrete for Africa’s development and revitalization," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a regular press conference.

Stressing that many countries in Africa constructed their first motorway and first cross-sea bridge, Mao said that the continent also "now has its first well-equipped pan-African center for disease control and prevention."

"Africa today has taken on a fresh look thanks to the BRI," she added.

Mao's comments come in response to Biden's remarks during an interview this week with the TIME magazine that the BRI has "become a nuisance graveyard initiative."

"Look what's happening in Africa," Biden added.

China's President Xi Jinping proposed the BRI in 2013 to connect China with markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa by recreating the ancient Silk Road to improve global trade infrastructure.

With over 200 cooperation agreements spread across 150 countries and 30 international organizations, the cumulative value of imports and exports between China and the partner countries has reached $19.1 trillion, with a 6.4% annual growth rate from 2013 to 2022.