Wilson Center Digital Archive

China's Foreign Aid

A major provider of foreign aid and developmental assistance during the Cold War and postcolonial eras, the People's Republic of China sought not only to enable underdeveloped, postcolonial nations to achieve more genuine economic independence, but also to showcase the Chinese style of development projects. This collection documents China's foreign aid efforts in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere around the world. (Image: Zhou Enlai announces China's eight principles for economic assistance while in Ghana in 1964.)

1962

Letter from the Ambassador Extraordinary of the PRC in the Republic of Mali to the Government of the Republic of Mali

The Chinese Embassy proposes the terms of sending Chinese experts to assist with agricultural development and production in Mali.
January 24, 1962

Cable from the General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries to Vice Premier Li Fuchun, ‘Regarding Instructions for the Exchange of Notes on the Chinese Agricultural Experts Going to Mali’

The General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries asks Li Fuchun for guidance on the terms of dispatching Chinese agricultural experts to Mali.
January 30, 1962

Record of the State Council's Answer to the General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries’ Request for Instructions

Li Fuchun and Chen Yi provide instructions to the General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries on assistance to Mali.
April 28, 1962

Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Mali to the General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries, ‘Regarding the Exchange of Notes for the Chinese Agricultural Experts Going to Mali’

The Chinese Embassy in Mali amends some of the specific terms for the dispatching of Chinese agricultural experts to Mali.
May 21, 1962

Cable from the General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries to the Chinese Embassy in Mali, ‘Regarding the Exchange of Notes on the Conditions of the Experts’ Work'

The General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries wants to ensure that the Chinese agricultural experts sent to Mali will be treated and cared for by the Malian government.
August 17, 1962

Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Mali to the General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries, ‘Regarding the Various Issues Concerning the Experts Coming to Mali’

The Chinese Embassy reports that Mali hopes that Chinese industrial experts will come to Mali.
August 17, 1962

Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Guinea, 'Report on the Work Situation of the Tea Specialists Group in Guinea'

The Chinese Embassy in Guinea reports on the efforts of Chinese experts to start up tea plantations in the country.
August 30, 1962

Cable from the General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries to the Chinese Embassy in Mali, ‘Regarding Amendments to the Exchange of Notes’

Instructions for the Chinese Embassy on negotiating payments for Chinese experts in Mali.
September, 1962

Work Report of the Tea Specialist Group Aiding Guinea

A lengthy report on the work of Chinese experts in Guinea to start up tea plantations in the country.
January 10, 1963

Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Mali, ‘The Duration of Employment for the Agricultural Experts Aiding Malii’

The Chinese Embassy in Mali reports on the "ideological" preparedness of Chinese experts to stay in Mali and assist with development projects.
April 26, 1963

Cable from the Chinese General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries et al, ‘Regarding the Question of the Experts' Rotation'

Chinese experts are instructed to remain in Mali, despite problems they are personally facing.
July 25, 1963

Cable from the Commercial Attaché, Chinese Embassy in Mali, to the General Bureau for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries

A coversheet for several reports on Chinese economic assistance to Mali.
July 25, 1963

Work Summary for Training Malinese Agricultural Technical Personnel related to Tea

A report on Chinese training of Malian experts in the tea industry.
January 15, 1964

The Chinese Government's Eight Principles for Economic Aid and Technical Assistance to Other Countries

During a state visit to Ghana in January 1964, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai outlines the principles of China's foreign economic assistance.
February 18, 1964

Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Mali, ‘The Two Notes Given to China by Mali'

Mali requests that China dispatch experts in wood carving, ivory carving, and jewelry making.
May 14, 1964

Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Mali, ‘The Matter of Sending Experts'

The Chinese Embassy in Mali reports on a request for wood carving and ivory experts to come to Mali and assist with local production.
October 08, 1964

Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Mali, ‘Regarding the Matter of Sending Handicraft Teachers'

The Chinese Foreign Cultural Liaison Committee reports that Chinese experts in ivory and wood carving will "not be able to be sent" to Mali in 1964.
October 20, 1964

Cable from the Chinese Embassy in Mali, ‘Regarding the Matter of Sending a Carving Expert'

Mali asks that Chinese jewelery and carving experts come to the Malian Art Institute.
December 08, 1964

Cable from the Head Office of the All China Handicraft Cooperative

The Malian Art Institute requests Chinese experts in jewelry making and wood and ivory carving
December 12, 1964

Cable from the Foreign Cultural Liaison Committee, ‘Regarding the Issue of Sending Experts in Woodcarving and Ivory to Mali’

The Foreign Cultural Liaison Committee decides that Chinese experts in Mali must be both politically reliable and technically skilled.