Latest news with #CIDCA
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
China to rebuild flood-damaged infrastructure in Nepals Rasuwa: officials
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Kathmandu, Jul 21 (PTI) China on Monday pledged support to Nepal for reconstructing infrastructure damaged by recent floods in Rasuwa district and restoring customs operations, officials here said. The Nepal-China Friendship Bridge, connecting the two nations, along with several hydropower projects and a dry port, was severely impacted by flash floods that struck Rasuwa on July 8, 2025. The assurance came during a meeting between Nepal's Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel and a Chinese delegation led by Chen Xiaodong, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), at the Finance Ministry here, officials said. Discussions also covered Nepal-China bilateral ties, development cooperation, and ongoing and future Chinese-funded projects, they said. Deputy Prime Minister Paudel, emphasising post-disaster recovery as Nepal's priority, expressed gratitude for China's commitment to rebuilding the affected infrastructure. During the meeting, Nepal and China also signed MoUs for four projects, including the construction of a bone marrow transplantation facility at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital and a feasibility study for expanding the Civil Hospital. Finance Secretary Ghanashyam Upadhyaya and CIDCA Chairman Chen signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments. A MoU was signed to facilitate human resource development, enabling over 1,200 Nepalese government employees to participate in bilateral and multilateral seminars organised by China-based institutions. An agreement was signed between Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya and Chen for a feasibility study on the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung Transnational Electricity Transmission Line. PTI SBP SCY SCY (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 18:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Egypt Independent
12-07-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Egypt and China sign 1st phase of debt-for-development swap program
Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Rania al-Mashat, and the Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), Chen Xiaodong on Thursday signed five new cooperation documents aimed at boosting Egyptian-Chinese strategic relations. These include a Memorandum of Understanding for the first development cooperation strategy between the two countries for 2025/2029, and the first phase of the debt-for-development swap program. The documents were signed at the Cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The signing was witnessed by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Premier of the State Council of China, Li Qiang. The two sides signed an MoU on the first development cooperation strategy between Egypt and China from 2025-2029. This aims to promote development cooperation between the two countries in line with Egypt's National Development Strategy 2030 and the Global Development Initiative (GDI). The MoU stipulates enhancing cooperation in priority areas for both sides, including healthcare, connectivity, climate change and green development, digital economy, space, education, and industrial localization, which will serve as an opportunity for joint initiatives, as well as any other areas that the two sides may agree upon during this period. The strategy also encourages exploration of additional projects that align with the GDI and Egypt's Vision 2030, including those that promote green transformation and industrial localization. This initiative builds upon the MoU signed by Mashat during her participation in the GDI meetings in July 2023. The two parties also signed the framework agreement for the first phase of a Debt Swap for Development Program, activating an MoU originally signed in October 2023. Egypt is the first country with which CIDCA has entered into this kind of development financing agreement. The Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Hassan Abdalla also signed a MoU with Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC) Pan Gongsheng, on Friday, to boost joint collaboration across various areas of mutual interest between the two banks. The signing ceremony at the Egyptian Cabinet was witnessed by the Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, alongside senior officials from both countries. The MoU aims to promote the use of local currency settlements for cross-border financial and trade transactions, while facilitating direct investments between both sides to foster economic integration. It also includes provisions to strengthen cooperation on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC). Additionally, it supports financial innovation using modern technology through conducting joint research and studies, as well as exchanging technical information and expertise. Abdalla affirmed that 'This MoU reflects the evolution of the historic ties between Egypt and China. It demonstrates both institutions' commitment to strengthening partnerships between their respective financial institutions in light of global economic developments.' Further agreements Mashat also signed the exchange of letters for a feasibility study grant for the national project to develop the prosthetics system, amounting to 1,520,000 Chinese Yuan. This project aims to make Egypt a regional hub in the Middle East and Africa for providing prosthetic limbs and assistive devices for people with disabilities, as well as possessing the manufacturing capability for them according to internationally approved standard specifications. Mashat, and the Chairman of the CIDCA, also signed an MoU on strengthening cooperation in human resources development, complementing the Ministry's role as a national coordinator for the annual training program provided by the Chinese side to the Egyptian government. Through this, the Chinese side will provide up to 2,000 training opportunities for Egypt in bilateral and multilateral training programs during the period from 2025-2027. The two sides also signed exchange of letters for the grant for the establishment of a Level-III Biosafety Laboratory, which will provide a secure environment for research, diagnosis, and the development of control measures for highly hazardous pathogens that require strict containment procedures, such as highly infectious viruses like COVID-19 and its variants.
The Diplomat
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
Beijing's Triangular Play: Weaving Development, Diplomacy, and Multilateralism
In recent years, China has quietly shifted its strategy in international development cooperation. Once focused almost exclusively on bilateral assistance, Beijing now embraces triangular development cooperation, a transformative aid modality partnering with traditional donors or international organizations to deliver aid in a third country. This model enables China to deepen its ties with traditional donors represented by OECD-DAC members, regional powers, and multilateral organizations. China's engagement in triangular cooperation has evolved in recent years and this shift serves two strategic aims amid growing U.S.-China competition: first, it cements ties with regional powerhouses by integrating developmental agendas alongside economic leverage; second, it enhances China's image as a champion of multilateralism, thereby reshaping global institutions in its favor. From Hesitation to Embrace Triangular cooperation, first articulated in the United Nations' 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA), refers to a partnership in which two or more developing countries collaborate on development projects with the support of a developed country or multilateral organization. Despite the concept's long-standing existence and traditional donors' outreach, China was initially reluctant to adopt this modality. As a newly (re)emerged aid provider, Beijing emphasized its identity as a Global South member and distinguished its assistance from Western donors by insisting on non-conditionality and non-interference. China's 2011 Foreign Aid White Paper briefly referenced triangular cooperation, and the 2014 White Paper only highlighted one concrete example with a DAC member, the China-New Zealand-Cook Islands water-supply project. Subsequent pilot projects, such as China-U.K. projects in Malawi and the China-U.S.-Timor-Leste cassava project, signaled a change. However, these early efforts remained small in scale and scope, underscoring Beijing's cautious approach. Two factors restrained China's early engagement. First, Beijing aims to avoid perceptions of neo-colonialism by distinguishing its model from that of Western powers, reassuring recipients, many of whom were former colonies, that China would remain a peaceful partner. Second, China lacked both experience and institutional capacity in dealing with multilateral aid. The establishment of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) in 2018 created a centralized body for foreign assistance, paving the way for broader experimentation. With CIDCA in place and pilot projects underway, the 2021 White Paper devoted an entire section to 'tripartite cooperation,' pledging to 'explore cooperation approaches with other parties that will complement the strengths of each' and to reaffirm a recipient-driven approach to 'bring maximum benefits to recipient countries.' Since then, China has embraced triangular cooperation more proactively in both bilateral and multilateral commitments. China even launched new platforms to channel triangular cooperation beyond existing frameworks. In short, Beijing has evolved from initial ambivalence to active promotion of triangular development cooperation, particularly amid intensifying U.S.-China competition in the 2020s. Key Motive 1: Strengthening Bilateral Ties A primary driver of this shift is China's desire to enhance bilateral relationships with other powers in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. Against the backdrop of U.S. retrenchment from development cooperation, triangular projects allow Beijing to work directly with established donors and middle powers, forging practical links in policy communities and industry circles. Unlike traditional multilateral engagement, triangular cooperation operates within a small but focused group, facilitating direct interaction and the exchange of expertise. By targeting less-sensitive development issues such as capacity building and technical training, these projects readily attract middle and small powers, which often hedge during great power competition. For example, in June 2025, China and Singapore agreed to establish a Third Country Training Program for officials from ASEAN and Timor-Leste, framing it as part of an 'all‑round high‑quality future‑oriented partnership.' By co‑investing in training programs, China gains access to Singapore's networks while demonstrating its capacity to contribute substantively alongside a respected regional power. Similarly, the same month, China organized the first China-Pakistan-Bangladesh Summit and all parties agreed to develop a trilateral mechanism not only on trade but also on climate and infrastructure projects. By convening and co‑financing such dialogues, China cements its convening power in South Asia and further integrates neighboring states into its development architecture. Key Motive 2: Reshaping Global Multilateralism Another motivation for Beijing is to reshape the global multilateral system at a time of diminished confidence in multilateralism. China presents itself as the true friend of developing countries, contrasting its approach with what it calls U.S.-led 'pseudo-multilateralism.' At the 2022 Boao Forum, Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned against bloc politics and 'Cold War mentality,' insisting that only by 'upholding true multilateralism' can the world avoid division. Chinese officials have echoed this message in numerous summit communiqués and speeches. At the 2023 U.N. General Assembly, Vice President Han Zheng implicitly criticized the U.S. by calling out outdated mentalities in global governance and called for 'true multilateralism.' Although triangular cooperation was originally envisioned to bridge North-South divides, China increasingly channels such cooperation through multilateral bodies like U.N. agencies and regional networks like ASEAN. The recent first ASEAN-China-GCC Summit is a good example demonstrating how China uses triangular spirits to bridge different regional partners. For instance, Xinhua commented on the ASEAN-China-GCC leaders' meeting by writing that this 'new model' of cooperation should set an example for Global South countries to 'unite and consolidate their collective development rights.' When China sits at the same table with partners like Southeast Asian and the Gulf states, it reframes trans-regional cooperation within a broader developmental context. China has also expanded its institutional infrastructure to support triangular cooperation. The Global Development Initiative (GDI), launched in 2021, offers a broad framework aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. Of the first batch of GDI projects announced in 2022, nearly half were delivered through U.N. agencies like UNDP or regional bodies like ASEAN. Moreover, the founding of the Global Development Promotion Center and the 2022 upgrade of the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund demonstrate China's commitment to advancing development cooperation in triangular modality through multi-partners or international organizations. In summary, by rolling out triangular development projects with a wide coalition and through multilateral institutions, China markets itself as the authentic champion of international development, implicitly challenging U.S. dominance. Conclusion China's shift from skepticism to active promotion of triangular cooperation reflects its evolving global strategy. First, triangular cooperation strengthens bilateral ties by offering flexible, development-focused partnerships. It enables China to engage with countries that are difficult to involve through purely bilateral channels or to deepen ties beyond economic interdependence. It also allows middle and small powers caught between the U.S. and China to collaborate with China on less sensitive issues. Second, triangular cooperation positions China as a credible advocate for a more inclusive and multipolar order. Crucially, with all these efforts, China deflects a core anxiety of small and middle powers: the risk of picking sides. This approach potentially reshapes their hedging calculus, cultivating a diplomatic landscape more favorable to China. Looking ahead, Beijing is more likely to expand its triangular cooperation beyond foreign aid into broader development agendas. For instance, in 2019, the National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) issued the Third-Party Market Cooperation Guidelines and Cases, encouraging Chinese firms to partner with foreign companies on projects in third countries. By integrating market mechanisms into triangular cooperation, China has moved beyond state-to-state level interaction and now leverages actors in the private sector. Overall, Beijing has not only embraced triangular development cooperation but is continually innovating its application to serve its strategic objectives.
Zawya
04-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
The Gambia: As malaria season begins, a life-saving infusion of medicine
On a hot and humid Thursday afternoon, the courtyard of The Gambia's Central Medical Store swarms with people. Despite the oppressive heat, dozens of people gather under a large tent. From time to time, clouds appear before dissipating, while the small puddles left by a light rainfall the day before remind everyone of the onset of the rainy season, a period known to bring a surge in malaria cases. Against this backdrop, the Gambian Red Cross Society (GRCS) officially handed over a vital consignment of anti-malarial medications to the Ministry of Health in support of the upcoming Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign. This life-saving donation is part of the 'Accelerating Malaria Elimination in The Gambia' project, funded by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). ' This delivery comes at the right time,' said Lamine Dampha, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health during the handover ceremony. ' The rainy season, commonly referred to as 'malaria season', has just begun. These medications will allow us to protect tens of thousands of people, especially children under five, who continue to bear the highest burden of malaria, across the country '. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Charles Businge, the IFRC's regional director for Africa emphasized that these medications come at a crucial time when global funding for malaria is declining. In this context, Ibou Fye Njie, secretary general of the GRCS, says these medicines take on even greater significance. ' Delivery of these medicines marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to achieve a malaria-free Gambia, while emphasizing that the project will finance the operational costs for the implementation of four SMC cycles during the 2025 malaria season in Kombo North District,' he said. Supporting a nationwide mosquito nets distribution campaign Valued at over USD 108,000 (excluding transport costs estimated at USD 35,000), the medications handover follows a large-scale mosquito net distribution campaign, conducted in partnership with the Senegalese authorities as part of a coordinated cross-border malaria control effort. More than 1.5 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed free of charge to households across The Gambia. Supporting this nationwide effort, 280 Red Cross volunteers were mobilized across all regions to raise awareness about malaria prevention. They went door-to-door educating families about the proper use of mosquito nets, provided information on where to collect them, and assisted Ministry of Health staff with registering beneficiaries. ' I'm very grateful to have received a mosquito net,' said a mother of three from the Central River Region. ' This year, I know my children and I will be protected from malaria.' Malaria: a major public health threat Malaria is one of the top ten causes of death in The Gambia, with the entire population of the country at risk of the disease. It also remains a leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity in The Gambia, where under-five mortality rate remains high at 56 per 1,000 live births. Despite significant progress in recent years, global malaria funding is insufficient to sustain essential services for a growing population and addressing biological and non-biological threats. Speaking on behalf of His Excellency Liu Jin, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to The Gambia, Mr. Zhan Tong, Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, reaffirmed China's commitment: ' We are confident that, with the strong support of the Chinese government and the international community, we will see tangible progress very soon,' he said. The 'Accelerating Malaria Elimination in The Gambia' project, launched in September 2024, will run through September 2026, with a total budget of USD 1,978,879. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
