Update on the UK’s aid engagement with China
A factual account of changes in UK aid to China in 2021-22, as well as budgeted aid for 2022-23 and beyond.
Latest news
We have published a second update to our information note on the UK’s aid engagement with China. This looks at changes in UK aid to China in 2021-22, as well as budgeted aid for 2022-23 and beyond, after the government pledged to reduce this spending.
Summary
In April 2021 we published our information note, The UK’s aid engagement with China, and identified four lines of inquiry that merit further scrutiny, including improving transparency and the use of ‘development diplomacy’. Shortly afterwards, we published an initial update providing further information following the then Foreign Secretary’s announcement that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) would reduce aid to China for ‘programme delivery’ by 95%. This update builds on our past work to gather information on aid spending, while also raising questions about the government’s approach for transitioning out of its aid relationship with China as the country will soon become ineligible to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA).