[JURIST] China [JURIST news archive] has not overlooked human rights abuses in its quest to find energy sources for its growing economy, a Chinese Foreign Ministry [official website] spokesman said Thursday. Spokesman Qin Gang said China emphasized peace, cooperation and development and that trade with China actually helps improve conditions in struggling countries. Anti-poverty and human rights activists have accused China of overlooking severe human rights abuses and government corruption in countries like Sudan and Myanmar [JURIST news archives], which supply its oil. China also reportedly offered a $3 billion loan to Angola in exchange for oil supplies after the International Monetary Fund [official website] criticized the country for not allowing increased scrutiny of its finances.

Rights activists have said that wealthier countries needed to step in with aid for African nations to stem China's influence in the region. Qin maintained that China was not responsible for human rights abuses abroad. Reuters has more.