China's Role in Debt Relief Critical for Pandemic-Battered Poor Countries, Says World Bank

• China holds key to providing debt relief for poor countries struggling financially post-pandemic, says World Bank economist • China needs to be more active in debt relief negotiations as major creditor country over past 15 years • Lack of debt relief leading poor countries to cut education, health spending, worsening crisis
• 40% of low income countries to have lower per capita income compared to pre-pandemic • Current debt relief framework not working well enough, though still early to consider major overhaul