The UK’s aid relationship with China up to 2023-24

This update finds that bilateral aid to China has fallen by up to 90%, from around £80 million in 2019 to approximately £8 million in 2023-24, with an expectation that this level will remain as long as China is eligible to receive aid.

Both the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – mostly through the British Council – and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) continue to spend aid there on themes including education, the English language, arts and culture, and the protection of forests.

ICAI warns that transparency of UK aid to China is insufficient – particularly regarding “administration costs” – and that there is not enough transition planning for China’s expected graduation from aid eligibility.