China's State Council Announces Major Reform

 A Renewed focus on foreign aid

Meanwhile, an international development cooperation agency will be formed to combine foreign assistance duties of the ministries of commerce and foreign affairs, including the drafting strategic guidelines, and planning and coordinate of major foreign aid policies.

The first group of postgraduate students of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD) attend their commencement, July 6, 2017. The 26 graduates read their letter of thanks to President Xi Jinping, voicing their gratitude to the Chinese government for giving them the opportunity to improve their professional expertise and study China’s successful experience in reform and opening up. 

Currently, foreign aid is the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Assistance under the Ministry of Commerce. This move is intended to reform China’s foreign aid strategy to better serve its diplomatic structure and the efforts to jointly build the Belt and Road. According to the reform plan, the agency will promote foreign aid as a key instrument of diplomacy. 

With China's growing international presence, especially in light of the Trump administration more domestic focus, China is believed to have shifted its foreign policy to take a more active role in the world. This is reflected in the emphasis on immigration, foreign aid and the Belt and Road initiative.

The author is PhD candidate in Politics and International Relations, University of Reading.