China's Newest White Paper on Foreign Aid

 China's State Council published in January 2021 a white paper titled "China's International Development Cooperation in the New Era."

This is China's first white paper on foreign aid since the State Council released one in 2014 that covered the years 2010-2012.  The newest version covers the years 2013-2018.

Most of the document praises China's global assistance.  It contains some useful statistical information.  During 2013-2018, Africa received 44.65 percent of China's foreign aid.  This compares to 51.8 percent in 2010-2012.  In 2013-2018, concessional loans accounted for 48.52 percent of China's global aid, grants for 47.3 percent, and interest free loans for 4.18 percent.  In 2010-2012, concessional loans accounted for 55.7 percent of China's global aid, grants for 36.2 percent, and interest free loans for 8.1 percent.

US Africa Strategy More about China than Africa

The Interpreter, a publication of the independent Australian Lowry Institute think tank, posted on 20 December 2018 a commentary titled "The New US Africa Strategy Is Not about Africa. It's about China" by Cornelia Tremann.

The author concludes that asking developing countries to choose between the US and China is a bad idea. I agree. She adds that US strategy should focus on US-Africa relations, not on China-Africa relations. Again, I agree although in all fairness there is a significant component of the new strategy that does not focus on China. Most of this component depends, however, on the US private sector, which does not necessarily take direction from the US government.

Implications of China's Base at Djibouti

China Brief published on 22 December 2017 an analysis titled "China's Overseas Military Base in Djibouti: Features, Motivations, and Policy Implications" by John Fei.

The author says it is unclear whether China's military base in Djibouti represents an effort by China just to enhance its peacekeeping and humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities, or suggests greater ambitions. China will probably use the base, however, primarily to support its economic engagement in the region, increase its abilities to provide humanitarian and disaster relief, and conduct anti-piracy and counterterrorism operations.

EU, China, Africa Cooperation on Climate Change

The German Development Institute published in August 2017 a report titled "A New Climate Trilateralism? Opportunities for Cooperation Between the EU, China and African Countries on Addressing Climate Change" by Moritz Weigel and Alexander Demissie.

The paper emphasizes that trilateral cooperation between the EU, China and African countries should be guided by Africa's priorities. It proposes that trilateral cooperation initially focus on renewable energy.

China and Security Issues in Africa

The China Institute at the University of Alberta and several other Canadian organizations held a conference in Ottawa on 20-21 September 2012 titled "China and Canada in Africa: Interests, Strategies and Africa Perspectives." I was asked to provide a scene setter on peace and humanitarian issues for one of the panel discussions.

My remarks covered China's security interests in Africa, engagement in peacekeeping, counter-piracy operations, arms sales to Africa, Chinese disaster relief and Chinese nationals under pressure in conflict zones. Click here to read the remarks.