A hyperbole perhaps, but a myth no. As evidenced in your links, China would definitely be gaining more short term if they operated the loans like a death trap, but instead have been quite generous. In Sri Lanka, initial reports suggested it would be profitable and even when things went south China didn't go for asset forfeiture.

However - China is objectively trying to gain power in these developing countries and make these countries rely on China.

Is this a bad thing? In my opinion, there's nothing inherently bad about it, and it's objectively better than what the US has done. However, if you're fearful of Chinese values, I can see you being fearful of their loan program.