Historic move to streamline departments

Coordinated aid will improve development

According to the draft reform plan, China will establish an agency for international development and cooperation, which will integrate the work of providing foreign aid of the ministries of commerce and foreign affairs. The new agency will play an active role in China’s trade and international cooperation in addition to improving the efficiency of its overseas aid.

Aid from the international community greatly contributed to China’s development in the past, particularly in the early decades after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, when it faced severe trade restrictions.

Although China today is able and willing to shoulder more responsibilities to help other countries in need, it should take a prudent approach to overseas aid. Since it is important to help a country achieve long-term sustainable development instead of giving it short-lived aid, the recipient country should be encouraged to develop its economy and trade. And while adhering to its stance of non-interference in the internal affairs of another country, China should enhance supervision on aid, and make sure it is effectively used to facilitate the recipient country’s development.

The agency can also help China to lay out its cooperative diplomacy, which should include the promotion of mutual cooperation among countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Mei Xinyu, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation