China’s International Cooperation in the Area of Poverty Reduction

Qingping OU

Deputy Director General Senior Agro-economist

Foreign Capital Project Management Center (FCPMC)LGOP, P.R. China

I. Evolution of China’s International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

1949—1979 - Receiving aid from other socialist

Countries, but most for industry development. (1949-1960)

- Providing assistance to other developing countries, in the area of agriculture, infrastructure, medical services, etc.

I. Evolution of China’s International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

1979—1994 -opening up to the outside; -resume her position in UN system; -starting receiving assistance from

international organizations, such as WFP,IFAD and other multi, bilateral organizations (AUSAid, GTZ, CIDA, etc.)

I. Evolution of China’s International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

Characteristics:- single sectoral development, such as

irrigation development, forestry, rural water supplying, dairy development.

- personnel exchanging;- training and capacity building (Ford Foundation training program,

establishment of PRA network, experiment of micro-finance, etc)

I. Evolution of China’s International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

1994—2004 - starting of foreign-funded large-

scaled poverty reduction program - well-targeted, well-organized,

systematic and integrated - coherence with the “National 8-7

Poverty Reduction Plan” and “China Rural Poverty Alleviation and Development Program (2001-2010)”

I. Evolution of China’s International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

Characteristics:- Integrated activities;- Multi-sectoral;- Cross-region;- Demonstration;- More exchange with outside

Some international institutions taking part in China’s poverty alleviation program

international multilateral aid institution

UNDP, FAO, WFP, UNICEF, UNIDO, ILO, UNFPA

international financial institution

WB, IFAD, ADB

foreign government bilateral institution

DFID, AUSAID, CIDA, GTZ, KFW ， JBIC, JICA, SIDA, NZAID, Netherlands

international NGOs Ford Foundation, WWF (world wide fund for nature), Oxfam (HK), Amity Foundation, World Vision, Save the Children Fund, Plan International, Action Aid ， International Crane Foundation, American Gradualism Organization

I. Evolution of China’s International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

2004- - “ Global Conference on Scaling Up

Poverty Reduction” in Shanghai, in May,2004

- from “ introducing” to “going out” - sharing experiences with other countries - establishment of China International

Poverty Reduction Center

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

1. Large-scale integrated poverty reducti

on projects.

WB, IFAD, WFP

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

World Bank financed poverty reduction program,

such as: - China Southwest Poverty Reduction Project - China Qinba Mountains Poverty Reduction Project - China Western Poverty Reduction Project and - Shanxi Poverty Reduction Project

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

World Food Program in China: - 70 food aid projects in China and US$ 1 billion investment; - most integrated agricultural development project; - focusing on poverty-stricken areas; - advanced methodology and approaches, such as,

VAM, ZOPP, PAA - cooperation with other international donors,

especially IFAD

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

Major characteristics of integrated poverty alleviation projects :— Multiple purposes— Integrated multi-regional and multi-sectoral

development model— Multiple financing channels — Involvement of all stakeholders — One time unified project planning and implemented

by years — Principle of sustainable development — Encourage and improve fully participation of rural

households — Pay special attention to gender and vulnerable group— Lay great stress on environmental protection

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

2. Pilot and Demonstration - Usually target at specific goal, group of people and cont

ent, which plays a testing, pilot or demonstration purpose

- Bilateral donors and NGOs, - Micro-credit, human resource development,

environment protection, woman and children development

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

- Sino-German Poverty Monitoring Proje

ct (Jiangxi Province)

- Preparing a Methodology for Development Planning in Poverty Alleviation under the New Poverty Strategy of PRC

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

3. Capacity Building

- Equipment supply - Training and study

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

4. Co-research - multiple or single research on Chines

e poverty alleviation strategy and relevant policy;

- policy proposal for government decision making

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

- “Research on selection of poverty reduction strategy in 90s” with WB supporting “National 8-7 Poverty Reduction Plan”

- “China: Overcome Poverty” with WB supporting coming out of the new strategy on poverty reduction in the new century

- “A Policy Study on the Poverty Alleviation Program of PRC: Trends and Challenges” with ADB

- “China Poverty and HIV/AIDS Research and Intervention” with the support of UNDP

II. Category and Content of International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

5. International Exchanging - International Conference - Overseas visit - Receiving delegations from other

countries, especially developing countries

III. Contribution of International Cooperation to China’s Poverty Reduction

1. Increasing the overall investment in

poverty alleviation for development program, makes up for the deficiency of poverty alleviation funds in target areas and accelerates the process of poverty alleviation

III. Contribution of International Cooperation to China’s Poverty Reduction

2.Reducing the poverty level of poor

people and target communities and enhances their capacity of self-development

III. Contribution of International Cooperation to China’s Poverty Reduction

3. Introducing and promoting new developm

ent methodologies, effective poverty alleviation system and mechanism prevalent throughout the world in a more wide and deep manner through out the country, and producing positive effects on theories, policies, approaches and mechanism innovation on China poverty reduction

III. Contribution of International Cooperation to China’s Poverty Reduction

4. Through piloting practice in project designing, implementation, monitoring and management, international cooperation program summarizes and accumulates valuable experiences and models conforming to China’s national conditions, playing significant role for promoting the management level of Chinese poverty alleviation for development program

III. Contribution of International Cooperation to China’s Poverty Reduction

5. Increasing and improving the capac

ity and quality of PADO system at various levels so as to lay even solid foundations for the sustainable development of target areas.

III. Contribution of International Cooperation to China’s Poverty Reduction

6. Accelerating opening-up of the poverty stricken areas.

III. Contribution of International Cooperation to China’s Poverty Reduction

7. Promoting international exchanging with other countries and increasing the friendship and mutual understanding with international communities

IV. Our experiences in international

cooperation

1. To place the international

cooperation as an important part of the poverty reduction and development work

- Support from the top leaders - Integrated into the high level

policy

IV. Our experiences in international cooperation

“ Develop international exchanges and cooperation in the field of poverty reduction and development. It is encouraged to continue seeking assistance from international organizations and the developed countries to poverty reduction programs. In order to guarantee smooth implementation of such programs, the government shall suitably increase the proportion of counterpart funds, and can provide 100% of the counterpart funds where the local government do have financial difficulties. Based on the actual reality of poor areas, well-targeted interventions will be taken to enhance the management of the foreign aided programs, to raise the economic returns of the projects funded with foreign loans so as to strengthen the capacity of repayment. Different channel and forms will be used to seek support and assistance from international NGOs to China’s poverty reduction program. Exchanges with international organizations in poverty reduction and development should be enhanced so as to learn from them the successful experience and effective ways in reducing poverty to further improve China’s poverty reduction level and overall efficiency. “

-----Abstract from “China Rural Poverty Reduction and

Development Program (2001-2010)”

IV. Our experiences in international cooperation

2.Establishment and Improvement of the Working System

- From central to local level - At the central level: Department of international cooperation with LGOP FCPMC, IPRCC

IV. Our experiences in international cooperation

Foreign Capital Project Management Center (FCPMC)

- To organize and coordinate preparation, implementation and management of the poverty reduction projects financed by the World Bank and other international financing organizations;

- To enhance and expand collaboration with international multilateral and bilateral donor agencies in the field of poverty alleviation and development;

- To actively initiate and explore cooperation and contacts with international NGOs;

- To strive for and intensify cooperation with international businesses and foreign companies;

- To undertake international exchange in the area of poverty reduction; and

- To organize and implement other piloting poverty reduction initiatives as entrusted by LGOP and other relevant government ministries.

IV. Our experiences in international cooperation

3. Paying much attention on

capacity building of staffs working for international cooperation

IV. Our experiences in international cooperation

4. Sound combination of foreign and domestic

funding as well as localization of international experience.

Principle of “ actively striving for foreign assistance, making effective use of it, centring on our own requirement and serving our own interests”

IV. Our experiences in international cooperation

5. To full play the role of the domestic and local experts

V. Future International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

1. Consensuses and Commitments of the International Community- context of globalization and world

integration - peace and development - Millennium Development Goals - The common desire for acceleration of

poverty alleviation.

V. Future International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

2. Goal of building a better-of and harmonious society, as well as a new rural areas of the Chinese Government

V. Future International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

3. To further strengthen exchanging

and cooperation with other countries

- poverty reduction diplomacy; - sharing experiences and

contribution for common development

V. Future International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

4. New areas for international cooperation

- CDD models; - Poverty reduction and HIV/Aids; - Poverty and environment protection; - Urban poverty; - NGOs’ participation; - …………….

V. Future International Cooperation in Poverty Reduction

Let’s hand in hand, strengthen exchanging and cooperation, for building a harmonious world!

Thank You!