Lin Dongmei (middle), deputy director of China National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, explains how to use Juncao (fungus grass) to cultivate Ganoderma amboinense for African students. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

By ZHONG Jianli

During the past decade, China has played an important role in leading international development cooperation, offering foreign aid, and being involved in global governance, according to Luo Zhaohui, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) during a recent press briefing in Beijing.

Luo said China has arranged over 2,000 aid projects in more than 120 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, and established over 80 economic and trade cooperation zones, stimulating investment of nearly a trillion US dollars. In addition, it has provided training for more than 100,000 professionals in various fields, helping up to 40 million people escape the poverty line.

The agency has aligned itself with the development plans and strategies of BRI partner countries, according to Deng Boqing, vice chairman of the CIDCA, allowing it to provide extensive technical consulting services focused on infrastructure interconnectivity, trade facilitation, and technological standardization, as well as implementing a number of projects for local people's welfare.

China has helped multiple countries in Africa construct medical infrastructure and laboratories, providing medical equipment and expertise. China's assistance has extended to combating malaria, schistosomiasis, and polio. Notably, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention, built with assistance from China, stands as the continent's largest public healthcare institution.

Regarding China's support for countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific, Tang Wenhong, also vice chairman of the CIDCA, said China has carried out close to a hundred aid projects in the areas including material supplies and technological assistance. China's assistance has been particularly valued in helping these countries recover and rebuild after hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters.

The CIDCA has also made dedicated efforts to implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which was proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2021. The initiative has garnered support from over 100 countries, international organizations such as the United Nations and others. Projects and funding programs under the GDI have been operating efficiently, with over 200 small-scale but helpful projects successfully implemented.

Luo said going forward the agency will continue its assistance efforts in areas such as global poverty reduction, climate change, food security, the digital economy, and interconnectivity.

Additionally, China will place more importance on exploring multilateral and triangular cooperation mechanisms, aiming to advance the transformation and upgrading of international development cooperation.