Beijing admits Tehran among founders of Asian “Super Bank"
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) – Just days after the signing of the historic nuclear deal, Iranian diplomacy is celebrating another coup in its inclusion as a founding state of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Asian "Super Bank" conceived by Beijing to counter western influence on the continent.
Applications to become founding members were closed on March 31: More than 50 nations (plus Taiwan) submitted a formal request. The granting of membership, according to the Chinese Ministry of Finance, will be communicated "from time to time" until April 15. In addition to Iran the United Arab Emirates has also been officially included.
Launched by Beijing in May of 2014, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) aims to become the financial hub par excellence for the continent’s governments. In this way, say analysts, they want to extricate themselves from the dominance of the World Bank, traditionally in the hands of the US; the Asian Development Bank, based in Manila but controlled by Japan; the International Monetary Fund controlled by Europe.
In concrete terms, the Chinese government offers loans to Asian governments at "zero interest" without imposing what are the standard fees for international negotiations: no internal pressure, no request for political reform or long-term guarantees.
Beijing is also lobbying for support in the international arena – such as the United Nations, ASEAN or the Criminal Court in The Hague - with regard to its own domestic issues: Tibet, Xinjiang and Taiwan. In addition, it wants a favorable vote in all disputes concerning disputed waters and territories, such as those of the China Sea (Eastern and Southern) and on the border with India.
Among those left out of the list of would-be founding members are the United States and Japan; on the contrary, America's historic allies in the West - among them Germany, France, Britain and Italy - are candidates. The decision to accept Iran, Xinhua writes today, "was taken in the light of the agreement on nuclear power and after consultation with other member States. London, Paris, Rome and Delhi have given their consent".
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