Conceptual foundations of the People’s Repu blic o f Сhina’s international development assistance policy

Abstract

The People’s Republic of China is a major actor in global international development assistance. This article ana- lyses white papers and other official documents related to China’s international development assistance policy. Through detailed examination, the objectives, principles, and priority areas are identified, highlighting contemporary trend which is shifting from the terms “aid” and “donor – recipient relationships” to “partnership” and “international development cooperation”. It is concluded that China actively employs development assistance as a tool in its foreign policy, enabling it to achieve national goals, increase its political and economic influence in the international arena, strengthen the legitimacy of its actions, and promote the Belt and road initiative and the construction of a global community of shared future.