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cover of episode Could China replace the US as a global aid giver?

Could China replace the US as a global aid giver?

2025/3/5
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What in the World
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Daniel Dadzie
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Janice Nkajja
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Shawn Yuan
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Janice Nkajja: 我认为乌干达最大的问题是缺乏有效的问责制度。我们每天损失的资金数额令人震惊，我们从外国援助或与外国的伙伴关系中获得了巨额债务。因此，我们国家首先要做的就是对我们的资金负责。如果我们能够妥善利用我们现有的资金，那么赚钱就会更容易。此外，乌干达应该鼓励公共-私营伙伴关系，因为有很多项目无法依赖政府，但国内私营部门愿意提供这些服务。然而，政府往往更愿意将这些伙伴关系给予西方公司，而不是给予当地公司。这不仅减少了当地居民的就业机会，而且还带来了许多不必要的外部因素。我认为东非国家或非洲国家目前正在做的一件重要的事情是非洲大陆自由贸易区。这有助于我们减少对外部捐助者的依赖，因为它有一个国家内部贸易体系，不仅减少了我们在进口上的支出，而且还在非洲国家和非洲大陆之间创造了一种团结感。最后，我认为非洲国家应该开始投资创新。对于像我这样的年轻人来说，这是关于可持续性的最重要的事情，因为他们没有在创新上投入那么多资金。然而，我们在科技、创新和创业方面拥有如此多的聪明才智。但是年轻人并没有得到这些空间或平台。这就是为什么我们在非洲和乌干达面临严重的脑力流失问题，因为年轻人正在离开，因为政府没有看到他们的价值。或者每当年轻人站出来谈论这些问题时，这都会对他们构成威胁。因此，这成为一个很大的问题。 Shawn Yuan: 中国的国际援助规模巨大，超过美国，但与美国援助的侧重点不同。中国援助主要集中在大型基础设施项目，例如“一带一路”倡议中的港口、铁路等，而非人道主义援助。虽然中国也提供人道主义援助，但规模远小于美国。中国通过援助获得软实力，促进经济发展，并使中国公司受益。然而，中国援助也受到批评，例如缺乏对受援国人权记录的考虑。目前，由于中国国内经济挑战，中国可能难以进一步增加对国际援助的投入。 Daniel Dadzie: 中国对非洲的资金援助策略正在发生变化，从大型项目转向较小、风险较低的项目。这是因为非洲国家越来越难以偿还贷款，而且中国自身也面临经济挑战。因此，中国可能无法轻易地将社会服务纳入其对非洲的现有援助体系。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The freezing of foreign aid by the US creates a financial gap in global projects. China, with increased foreign spending, particularly in Africa, is considered a potential replacement. This episode explores whether China can fill this gap and its implications.
  • US foreign aid freeze creates a financial gap
  • China's increased foreign spending in Africa
  • Question of China's ability to fill the gap left by the US

Shownotes Transcript

One of the most eye-catching decisions by Donald Trump since becoming American President for a second time was to freeze foreign aid. USAID is the agency that’s given billions of dollars to global projects, from disaster relief to fighting malaria.

With this decision there will be a big hole in global financing, one that could potentially be filled by other leading global countries, such as China.

President Xi has already upped China’s foreign spending in places like Africa. Chinese investing in huge infrastructure projects abroad isn’t new, but could they use America’s decision to their advantage and extend their influence around the world?

Shawn Yuan, from the BBC’s Global China Unit, explains how Chinese aid models differ from the US. We also hear from Janice Nkajja, a Ugandan TikToker and social justice activist whose video went viral when USAID was frozen. And Daniel Dadzie, our reporter in Ghana, takes us through China’s funding strategy in Africa.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, Josh Jenkins and Mora Morrison Editor: Harriet Oliver