China has rejected criticism by World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz reported in a French newspaper that Chinese banks are ignoring human rights and environmental standards when lending in Africa. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao on Tuesday called the World Bank president's comments unacceptable, saying its trade relations with Africa are based on equality and mutual advantage. "In fact, this benefits the improvement of the living standards of African people and benefits Africa's economic and social development," he said... Chinese companies operating in Africa have also come in for criticism for ignoring international labor standards, which has sometimes led to conflict with locals. Liu defended China's Africa policy, saying his country follows the principle of not interfering in other nations' internal affairs and not imposing values on other countries.