UK support for China-backed Asia bank

UK support for China-backed Asia bank prompts US concern

The US has expressed concern over the UK's bid to become a founding member of a Chinese-backed development bank.

The UK is the first big Western economy to apply for membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The US has raised questions over the bank's commitment to international standards on governance.

"There will be times when we take a different approach," a spokesperson for Prime Minister David Cameron said about the rare rebuke from the US.

The AIIB, which was created in October by 21 countries, led by China, will fund Asian energy, transport and infrastructure projects.

The UK insisted it would demand the bank adhere to strict banking and oversight procedures.

"We think that it's in the UK's national interest," said Mr Cameron's spokesperson.

'Not normal'
Pippa Malmgren, a former economic advisor to US President George W Bush, told the BBC that the public chastisement from the US indicates the move might have come as a surprise.

"It's not normal for the United States to be publically scolding the British," she said, adding that the US's focus on domestic affairs at the moment could have led to the oversight.

However, Mr Cameron's spokesperon said UK Chancellor George Osborne did discuss the measure with his US counterpart before announcing the move.

[color=rgb(51, 51, 51)][size=1.077em][/color][color=rgb(74, 113, 148)]In a statement[/color][color=rgb(51, 51, 51)] announcing the UK's intention to join the bank, Mr Osborne said that joining the AIIB at the founding stage would create "an unrivalled opportunity for the UK and Asia to invest and grow together".[/size][/color]
[color=rgb(51, 51, 51)][/size][size=1.077em]The hope is that investment in the bank will give British companies an opportunity to invest in the world's fastest growing markets.[/size][/color]
[color=rgb(51, 51, 51)][/size][size=1.077em]But the US sees the Chinese effort as a ploy to dilute US control of the banking system, and has persuaded regional allies such as Australia, South Korea and Japan to stay out of the bank.[/size][/color]
[color=rgb(51, 51, 51)][/size][size=1.077em]In response to the move, US National Security Council spokesman Patrick Ventrell said: "We believe any new multilateral institution should incorporate the high standards of the World Bank and the regional development banks."[/size][/color]
[color=rgb(51, 51, 51)][/size][size=1.077em]"Based on many discussions, we have concerns about whether the AIIB will meet these high standards, particularly related to governance, and environmental and social safeguards," he added.[/size][/color]