SCIO press conference on China's COVID-19 assistance and international development cooperation

ThePaper.cn:

How does the China International Development Cooperation Agency feel about carrying out triangular cooperation with Western countries and international organizations in development assistance? Thank you.

Zhang Maoyu:

Thank you for raising such a good question. China not only recognizes the importance of providing bilateral aid to developing countries but also the importance of carrying out triangular and multilateral cooperation with Western countries and international organizations in this regard. We have always held a positive and open attitude towards carrying out international development exchanges and triangular cooperation. As a developing country, we will continue to explore triangular development cooperation with related parties, enrich cooperation modes and paths, and improve cooperation level and capacity. Our proposals are as follows: First, we should foster global development partnerships that are more equitable and balanced. We will actively implement the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in international development cooperation while enhancing the role of North-South cooperation as the main channel and South-South cooperation as a beneficial supplement. Second, we should tap into our respective strengths and steadily advance triangular cooperation. We should respect the policies, ideas and modes of all parties, and enhance mutual understanding and trust in the spirit of mutual respect, sharing experiences, complementing each other and learning from the strengths of others. Third, we should respect the sovereignty and leading role of recipient countries. We should uphold the principles of aid projects demanded, agreed to and led by recipient countries, and the criteria should be based on whether recipient countries welcome or not, agree or not and are satisfactory or not. The focus should be on meeting the needs of recipient countries for humanitarian aid and aid concerning people's livelihood and employment, and strengthening their capacity for development.

It has been more than three years since the establishment of the China International Development Cooperation Agency. During this time, we have advanced dialogues and consultation, participated in international meetings and activities including the Second High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation and the European Development Days, and conducted exchanges including visits with more than 10 countries and regional organizations including Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Britain, France, Norway and the European Union. In recent years, under the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, China has cooperated with a number of UN organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme, the World Food Programme, the UN Refugee Agency and the UNICEF. China has conducted development cooperation projects in more than 50 countries in the fields of food assistance, post-disaster reconstruction, refugee relief and health care for women and children. Moreover, China has launched triangular cooperation projects with Switzerland, Portugal, Britain, the United States, Australia and New Zealand that meet the needs of recipient countries in agriculture, health care and other areas concerning people's livelihood.

Next, we will continue to explore triangular cooperation with an open and pragmatic attitude, and also encourage the private sector, non-government organizations and charities to play a bigger role in providing new momentum for international development cooperation.