Bob Pickard, a Canadian public relations executive, abruptly resigned from his position at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) this week, alleging the institution is heavily influenced by the Chinese Communist Party. Pickard, who served as the AIIB's director general of global communications for 15 months, made the announcement via Twitter, stating his resignation was the only option for a "patriotic Canadian." He characterized the bank's culture as "toxic" and claimed it was controlled by individuals he likened to secret police from historical authoritarian regimes.
The AIIB, established in 2016 to fund infrastructure projects, boasts a membership of 106 countries, including several Western nations like Canada, the UK, and France. However, the United States and Japan are notably absent from its ranks. The bank, often viewed as a competitor to the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, rejected Pickard's accusations, labeling them as "baseless and disappointing." The AIIB emphasized its diverse international team and stressed its commitment to its mission.
Pickard's departure coincides with increasing concerns about the Chinese government's influence over businesses and institutions. He expressed worry for his safety, waiting to publicize his resignation until he had reached Japan. He did not provide specific details about his concerns and has not yet responded to requests for comment. Pickard's claims come amid warnings from several governments, including the United States, about the growing risks of arbitrary detention and exit bans for foreign nationals in China.
The AIIB, with reported assets of $47.4 billion, operates independently from China's Belt and Road Initiative, another major infrastructure development program. While the bank acknowledges its president, Jin Liqun, is Chinese, it highlights the international representation within its leadership, including vice presidents from Britain, Russia, India, and Germany.
Image caption: Representation of Asia in the news (Fox News)
