Of course. It is not free. By 1964, China had paid off all Soviet loans and interest in the 1950s one year ahead of schedule, and paid off sugar loans and trade arrears before 1965. At this point, China paid off all debts owed to the Soviet Union. That is, after three years of natural disasters, Sino-Soviet relations became hostile and began to repay loans.

See/culture/txt/2009-03/20/content _17475528.htm.