In 2006 China hosted the Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) attended by 48 African heads of state and high level representatives. This unprecedented high level meeting witnessed the birth of “a new type of strategic partnership” between China and Africa.

Undisputedly, Chinese policies including trade and investments and its role as a donor and creditor will have an important impact on the future of developing countries in Africa and the joint global challenge to combat poverty.

New report from Diakonia analyses China´s role

Diakonia has in collaboration with European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad) produced a report analysing Chinese development assistance policies, i.e. China’s role as a donor to Africa, an area not so much written on in comparison with trade and investments. The report explores Chinese views on China’s role as an important player in development policies and what responses China has to concerns expressed by external stakeholders about the increased Chinese cooperation with Africa.

Three issues in relation to devolpment assistance

The report maps out the main institutions involved in Chinese development assistance, it addresses the issue of volume and criteria for Chinese aid, and how China spends its aid. More specifically the report looks into three issues that are the subject of lively discussions in relation to development assistance and China’s engagement in Africa:

1. Aid effectiveness
2. The no political strings attached policy
3. Debt sustainability

The purpose of the report is to contribute to an increased knowledge and understanding of China’s role in Africa. The target group is foremost Civil Society Organisations (CSO:s) across the world engaged in various types of development work. However, it is a hope that it will be of interest to other stakeholders who are thinking about and/or are actively involved in China’s role in Africa.

The report should be seen as one contribution among others to spur further initiatives in various forms: more research not least in Africa on the impacts of the Sino-African cooperation, dialogues among different stakeholders, policy formulation and advocacy, in which CSO:s could play an active role in contributing to effective development policies for the benefit of people and the environment.

Suggests ways forward

The report includes a number of suggested ways forward for various stakeholders, including western governments/traditional donors, CSO:s and the Chinese government.

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