Ogiji Sunday Uko's enriching journey in China came to an end in June, when he graduated from China Foreign Affairs University.
His experience not only broadened his understanding of international relations, but also provided him with insights into China's development model, which he believes offers valuable lessons for Nigeria and other developing nations.
The Nigerian government executive learned about a training program two years ago that would let him study at the university, and he jumped at the opportunity, as it had been his dream to study in China.
Uko, who studied in the master's program of international relations at China Foreign Affairs University, said his experience in China has very much enlightened him.
"The infrastructural development of China is amazing," he said, adding that witnessing it firsthand has shaped his view of how infrastructure could transform society in his home country.
"Studying in Beijing also helped me know more about the real image of China, more than what we are told by Western media," he said.
Uko is among 40,000 people who finished training as part of the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, which aims to provide 100,000 training opportunities to other developing countries to support their economic and social development.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged in July to offer an additional 100,000 training opportunities for Global South countries in the next five years.
Following the philosophy that it is more helpful in the long term to teach people how to fish rather than just giving them fish, China has attached great importance to cooperation in human resources development, exemplifying China's evolving reform of foreign assistance.
A resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which was held in July, pledged to open China's doors wider to the world's least-developed countries.
The resolution called for further reforming institutions and mechanisms for foreign aid to realize full-chain management.
Analysts said that foreign assistance is a systematic endeavor that requires a holistic approach, integrating the formulation and planning of foreign aid policies, project implementation and evaluation, in a bid to meet the needs of recipient countries as well as achieve China's diplomatic goals.
The full-chain management approach helps streamline systems and mechanisms of foreign aid, reduces management and communication costs among relevant departments, and enhances the effectiveness of foreign assistance, they added.
Challenges seen
Wang Yiwei, a professor at Renmin University of China's School of International Studies, said that foreign aid bolsters China's political influence, its ability to shape international rules and its global reputation.
The professor said that advancing foreign aid faces several challenges, as its necessity is sometimes questioned, which can affect decision-making and the implementation of relevant policies of various departments.
"It is crucial to recognize the strategic importance of foreign aid," he said, adding that departments involved in the mission must better coordinate under the guidance of the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
The agency, established in 2018, clarified the responsibilities of the foreign aid system, Wang said, adding that this reform aligns with international development practices and represents an achievement in the institutionalization of China's diplomatic efforts.
He also said that China's foreign aid reform reflects its responsibility as a major country and its commitment to achieving the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Zhou Taidong, vice-president of the Center for International Knowledge on Development, said that deepening the reform of foreign aid systems and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of such assistance are essential for meeting the growing expectations of Global South countries, resolving global development challenges, and fulfilling the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Further efforts should be made to strengthen top-level design and tailor policies for different nations and regions, while multilateral, regional and bilateral channels should be integrated to foster a comprehensive aid approach, Zhou said.
Emphasis should be put on evaluation of aid, as this plays a crucial role in measuring and showcasing the outcomes of China's international development cooperation, he said, adding that China should also promote third-party cooperation and multilateral coordination in a more active manner.
Synergy with BRI
International development aid has boosted connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative, with a large number of flagship infrastructure projects built over the past 11 years.
Among them is the China-assisted Eastbay Expressway of Gwadar Port in Pakistan, an early harvest project finished in 2022 as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
As a project initiated and managed by Pakistan and built by a Chinese enterprise, the host country has had decision-making authority throughout the process.
This arrangement allowed the project to be built to meet the specific needs and conditions of Pakistan, said Liu Fangtao, who was the manager of the project for China Communications Construction Co.
Despite numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, harsh climatic conditions and security risks due to terrorism, the expressway was completed in five years.
The expressway, which serves as the only external link for Gwadar Port, solved the transportation problem and also facilitated trade and connectivity, Liu said.
By establishing and promoting its standards, China, which is renowned for its infrastructure capabilities, can gain greater influence in international aid projects, he added.
"Looking forward, there is a pressing need for China to clearly introduce its foreign aid policies and system to recipient countries, such as issuing an English version of its policies and procedures," he said.
The resolution adopted at the third plenary session in July called for coordinated efforts to promote "small yet smart" public welfare projects under the BRI, while also advancing major flagship projects.
Zhou, from the Center for International Knowledge on Development, said that the BRI has reshaped China's international development cooperation and greatly increased its global contribution to development.
Though China has a key strength in large-scale signature aid projects, which address critical infrastructure gaps and the urgent needs of developing nations, "small yet smart" projects can deliver quick results that benefit people's livelihoods, he said.
Wang, from Renmin University, said that for large-scale flagship projects as well as small-scale livelihood projects, the key lies in sustainable development, which involves ensuring debt sustainability.
"Aid cannot increase the burden on recipient countries. It should enhance accessibility while laying a foundation for their long-term development," he said.
美国一客机起飞后因指示灯异常紧急降落；韩国一波音客机引擎起火：边降落边喷火，还传出爆炸声，什么情况？ 据央视新闻1月11日消息，据美国《纽约邮报》报道，当地时间10日，一架飞往芝加哥的美国联合航空公司飞机紧急降落在 中新经纬1月11日电 据国家药品监督管理局网站消息，1月9日至10日，全国药品监督管理工作会议在北京召开。 会议对2024年药品监管工作作了四个方面具体部署。一是打好防控药品安全风险主动仗。把防范化解药品质量安 共建“一带一路”倡议提出十年来，从亚欧大陆扩展至全球，为许多人带去了更好的发展机遇。与此同时，在某些西方媒体的宣传中，“债务陷阱”等阴谋论字眼却甚嚣尘上。中国日报起底工作室针对这一说法 中国发展网讯 龙年首场强降雪来袭，2月20日上午，雄安分中心涞源养护队第一时间启动抗冰除雪保畅预案，在集中降雪前，提前进行一次有针对性、低剂量的融雪剂撒布工作，避免路面发生结冰现象，同时突出对重点路 “中新免签朋友圈”效应：春节赴新游同比涨960% 带动“新马泰”线路 21世纪经济报道 胡慧茵 春节是新加坡重要的节日。每到农历新年，新加坡的大街小巷就洋溢起浓浓的年味。 “在新加坡唐人街牛车水，我们看 多家钛白粉企业再度宣布涨价 2月22日，钛白粉企业金浦钛业发布公告宣布涨价，金浦钛业表示，自2月22日起，公司锐钛型钛白粉销售价格上调800元/吨，对国际各类客户上调110美元/吨；金红石型钛白粉销售价格上调600元/吨，对国 。本文链接：China's aid programs help other Global South nations realize shared prosperityhttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-26049-0.html
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