Freeman Report Dec. 2006 - Vol. 4, No. 12

In the last two years, China’s activist foreign aid policy has attracted more and more attention.  China responded to the tsunami in Southeast Asia and earthquake in Pakistan with its largest-ever aid packages, and even provided emergency aid to the U.S. in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

This new commitment to foreign aid was on full display at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last month, when Beijing promised to double its assistance to Africa by 2009, to set up a China-Africa development fund, and to cancel the debts of the least developed African countries.  A more positive view put forward by Chinese leaders argues this new active involvement in foreign aid helps spur economic growth and alleviate poverty in the developing world, proves that China has peaceful intentions, and demonstrates China’s commitment to win-win outcomes.