Sweden and Kyrgyzstan increase the European and Asian presence. Group includes Hong Kong and Taiwan, joining under the name "Chinese Taipei". Japan and the US stay out. Analysts: "a big mistake in underestimating the potential threat of this new financial reality". On April 15, the final list and the allocation of capital.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - Sweden and Kyrgyzstan were the last two countries to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which closed the list of the founding states yesterday. The "Super Bank" launched by Beijing can therefore rely on a list of 47 States and "territories", from all continents, from which to select the founders.

Hua Chunying, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that "at least 30 nations have already been approved as members of the board." However, the precise list will not be made public before 15 April.

The AIIB Preparatory Commission has met in Kazakhstan for the third round of negotiations on operating procedures and other details. This involves the distribution of 50 billion USD to achieve the initial capital, which is worth 100. At the Boao Forum last year, Beijing proposed the creation of the structure and has already secured an investment of 50 billion. In this way it has the necessary majority of the shares and thus veto power.

In the Chinese world, both Hong Kong and Taiwan have signed up to join. The first, as a Chinese special administrative region, could be referred to as a "territory" and thus gain a seat on the board of directors. The second, which Beijing considers a "rebel province", has instead been registered as "Chinese Taipei" and under that name, accepted by the Chinese mainland, it is also present in other international bodies.

With regards the Korean peninsula, the southern part at first made a "conditional" request for membership: after trying to convince China to give up veto power, it backtracked and filed for membership. The northern part, however, was rejected in February because - according to the Chinese press - "It has not submitted the appropriate economic and financial information needed to complete registration."

Japan instead pulled out.  Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso stated "we have no choice but to be very cautious about this structure." According Aso there are major problems concerning the governance of the bank, its debt sustainability and social safeguards.

Europe responded with enthusiasm. Applicants include Great Britain, Italy, Germany and France: all regular partners of the United States, but who have chosen to enter the AIIB. Washington on the contrary has not commented on this issue and, according to several analysts, has "underestimated the potential threat of this new financial reality. Just as Japan did".

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.

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