UK/China: Partners in International Development
We are deepening our relationship with China on international development
issues. In particular, we are discussing co-operation on China's Impact on African
Development, Sustainable Development, Reform of the International Development
System and promoting South-South Learning.
Recent Work
Chinese investments in Africa, particularly through the provision of
infrastructure, are rapidly expanding. Much of it is delivered through Chinese
companies. The ways in which these companies operate is rarely clear and
transparent which has led to speculation that they do not compete on a level
playing field because of (a) heavy support from the Chinese government and (b)
disregard for accepted corporate standards. DFID China commissioned the Centre
for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University to analyse the market entry
models of Chinese construction firms in Angola, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and
Zambia. Particular attention was paid to the methods of engagement and the
impact on the local construction industries. Chinese activity in the four case
studies was examined and then compared across five areas: 1) tendering, 2)
access to capital, 3) labour, 4) procurement, and 5) quality of workmanship.
Download the full report (2
mb) or a six page
summary (105
kb).
Resources
For more information on how we are working with China to promote growth in
Africa please see our
factsheet (153
kb)
Hillary Benn, the UK's Secretary of State for International Development, delivered a keynote speech
(English
(93
kb) /Chinese
(690
kb) ) on these issues when he attended the Shanghai poverty conference in May 2004.
Gareth Thomas, the UK's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for
International Development,
delivered a
speech
(83 kb) at the China Academy of Sciences, reiterating the importance of China in
international development and the value of forwarding a partnership for
development in December 2005
Last updated 23 November 2006
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