BEIJING: Finance Ministries of Germany and France said that they would be applying for membership of Chinese-led Asian development bank.
But German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble confirmed that his country would also be applying for membership.
France’s finance ministry confirmed it would be joining the bank. It is believed Italy also intends to join.
The US has questioned the governance standards at the new institution, which is seen as spreading Chinese “soft power”.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which was created in October by 21 countries, led by China, will fund Asian energy, transport and infrastructure projects.
When asked about the US rebuke last week, a spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said: “There will be times when we take a different approach.”
The UK insisted it would insist on the bank’s adherence to strict banking and oversight procedures.
“We think that it’s in the UK’s national interest,” Mr Cameron’s spokesperson added.
