Support for AIIB grows with six more countries joining China-led bank

Tokyo

SUPPORT for the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is growing, with half a dozen countries joining the score that signed a memorandum of understanding at the end of last year on joining the institution, making a total of 26 potential members, sources close to the project told The Business Times.

At the same time, some of the initial hostility that greeted the announcement last year by Chinese President Xi Jinping of the new venture appears to be diminishing and the AIIB is receiving "better press", now, according to well-placed sources.

New Zealand is one of the countries that recently agreed in principle to join the AIIB, adding its name to those of leading nations from Asia su…