Italy has announced its formal withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative after joining the China-centered infrastructure and investment project in 2019.
The timing of the announcement that Rome won’t renew its BRI commitment is notable. It came only a day before the EU-China summit, which kicks off on Thursday. The summit will likely be more contentious than usual, with European leaders expected to push China on the treatment of EU firms amid discussions ...
Category: Aid
China Announces Double-Digit Budget Increase for Diplomacy
China is sharply increasing its budget for diplomacy and influence-building around the world after three years of retreat from the world stage. The announcement of a 12.2% increase follows Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s recent comment that “Chinese ...
China’s COVID Response Boosts Foreign Aid
China's donations of physical aid jumped by 40% last year to $1.3 billion. The bulk of these donations were in response to the COVID pandemic, including vaccines and food.
More Chinese Flood Aid to Pakistan
China will provide additional humanitarian aid, including 25,000 tents, to flood-devastated Pakistan, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Monday. The Red Cross Society of China will also provide $300,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Zhao said. ...
China Cancels Nearly Two Dozen Interest-Free Loans to 17 African Countries
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi unveiled a minor debt relief package for 17 African countries, writing off 23 interest-free loans that came due at the end of the last year. Wang made the announcement on Thursday at a meeting ...
UK Reshapes Foreign Aid Strategy to Confront China
The United Kingdom has announced major shifts in its foreign aid strategy. These changes put the UK in closer alignment with the United States, and redirect aid spending toward geopolitical goals, particularly containing China’s rise. UK foreign aid has been cut by $4 billion since 2020.
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Awkward Timing as Italy Withdraws from BRI
Rare $20 Million Chinese Aid Grant to Uganda
The Chinese embassy in Kampala announced that Beijing will provide Uganda with a $20 million aid grant intended to support social development initiatives. While this sum doesn't stand out compared to Western aid allocations, it is notable because these kinds of conventional aid ...
How Effective is China’s Foreign Aid? The IMF Takes a Look
While China's financing to the Global South has reshaped international development, many misconceptions exist about the nature of this funding. While China is a major funder of infrastructure, experts on international development have pointed out that it is not ...
European MP: We’ve Just Been “Doing the Donor Thing” in Africa and Now “Have to be Smart Like the Chinese”
Although China will likely not be on the official agenda at the upcoming European Union-Africa summit that will take place on Thursday and Friday in Brussels, China's role on the continent and how Europe can/should compete with Beijing will be on everyone's minds.
Report: China to Provide Enough Vaccines For All Unvaccinated Soldiers in the South African Military
The Chinese government is purportedly donating 300,000 doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to cover any remaining members of the force who aren't fully vaccinated. But the use of Sinovac vaccines in South Africa ...
China’s Latest Donation to Tanzania Highlights an Important Diplomatic Trend in Africa
China's ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, participated in a signing ceremony on Monday with Foreign Minister Joseph Sokoine to mark the donation of 2 million RMB or $314,000 to the Tanzanian foreign ministry. The donation itself is unremarkable and, ...