Can you help shape our future priorities? Take a five minute survey now. Survey closes on 8 July.

Journal Article

IDS Bulletin Vol. 45 Nos. 4

Difference or Indifference: China’s Development Assistance Unpacked

Published on 15 July 2014

China’s growing role in international development through so‐called ‘South–South cooperation’ has attracted considerable global attention.

This article aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the nature of foreign aid policies implemented by China and help facilitate a new set of dialogues between China and more established providers of aid. It unpacks the developmental side of the story by first analysing the official discourse of Chinese aid in a historical context and thereafter examines the practice of conditional aid in relation to the Chinese emphasis on non‐interference and mutual interest. The empirical basis for this article is largely derived from field studies undertaken in Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. We argue that although centrally controlled, Chinese aid has been consistently developmental, reflecting both the country’s own development path and, to a lesser extent, international developmental goals.

Related Content

This article comes from the IDS Bulletin 45.4 (2014) Difference or Indifference: China’s Development Assistance Unpacked

Cite this publication

Li, X., Banik, D., Tang, L. and Wu, J. (2014) Difference or Indifference: China's Development Assistance Unpacked. IDS Bulletin 45(4): 22-35

Authors

Xiaoyun Li

Dan Banik

Lixia Tang

Jin Wu

Publication details

published by
Institute of Development Studies
doi
10.1111/1759-5436.12090

Share

About this publication

Related content

Working Paper

Mining Legitimacy: Governing the Politics of Resource-Based Green Industrial Policy

IDS Working Paper 623

3 July 2025

Opinion

The power of communities during civic space closure in Central America

Rocío Elizabeth Ramírez Argueta, Oficial de programas y proyectos, COMCAVIS TRANS

& 3 others

24 June 2025

Opinion

El poder de las comunidades frente al cierre del espacio cívico en Centroamérica

Rocío Elizabeth Ramírez Argueta, Oficial de programas y proyectos, COMCAVIS TRANS

& 3 others

24 June 2025

Opinion

Shaping the future of AI: The role of non-binding agreements

23 June 2025

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.