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Opinion

1MDB probe shines uncomfortable light on China's Belt and Road

Scandal is only latest example of dangerous lack of transparency in showcase program

| China

China's Belt and Road Initiative sprouted another sinkhole this month, when The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese officials agreed to help bail out Malaysia's state development fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, known as 1MDB, by inflating the cost of infrastructure projects.

The story is still unfolding: Malaysian officials have announced a probe. Beijing has denied the report. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has been charged with corruption over 1MDB, denies the allegations against him.

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