China says Guinea investment not government-linked

BEIJING, Oct 16 - China said on Friday that a planned $7 billion mining investment in Guinea, the world's top bauxite supplier, was a private deal in which the Chinese government had not played a role.

Guinea's mine minister said this week that the country is in talks to create a mining joint venture with China Investment Fund, local media reported.

Mahmoud Thiam told Guineenews.org the fund was registered in Singapore and Hong Kong and made up of several investment groups including some belonging to the Chinese government.

But China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu denied any government links, in a statement posted on the ministry's website in response to journalists questions (www.fmprc.gov.cn).

"China Investment Fund is an international firm registered in Hong Kong, its investment in Guinea is an independent company activity, this company's actions have no connection with the Chinese government, and the Chinese government does not have specific details about the deal," Ma said.

News of the deal came after Guinea's ruling military junta attracted broad international condemnation for a bloody crackdown on opposition protesters Sept. 28 that killed 157 people, according to a local human rights group.