China 's Development And Adjustment Of Assistance To Southeast Asia After 1995

China’s foreign aid, starting from1950s and after nearly70years’ development, has accumulated abundant experiences and lessons. Its concepts and practices have been constantly adjusted and improved. In order to properly understand the history, effects and significance of China’s foreign aid, this thesis, following a review of China’s foreign aid history since the founding of New China, examines the history of China’s foreign aid in southeast Asia, the major adjustments made after the1995reform, effects received from these adjustments, areas to be improved and future development prospects. In light of the traditional friendship and present cooperation between China and Southeast Asia, as well as the vital geopolitical strategic significance of Southeast Asia to China, this thesis is of great academic and practical importance. It can not only make up the inadequacy of research in this area to date, but provide valuable reference for future work. Besides, it will help people from China and abroad gain a better understanding of China’s efforts. All in all, this thesis hopes to make a bit contribution to the future development of China’s foreign aid, one with improved effects and efficiency.Employing the methodology of case study, with materials, data and news reports on China’s foreign aid in Southeast Asia, this thesis examines the development and adjustment of China’s foreign aid in Southeast Asia in terms of background, means, content, effects, room for improvement and prospects. Its conclusion can be summarized as below:for one thing, the Chinese government realized more clearly than ever that we must prioritize domestic development, and let foreign aid serve for domestic economic growth through creating "win-win" outcomes. Therefore, since1995, China has kept its investment in foreign aid to Southeast Asia in alignment with domestic economic development. Never again did foreign aid become a burden to China. Instead, increasingly more banks, enterprises and NGOs participated in foreign aid activities. The forms of foreign aid as well as the source of capital have become diversified, which has significantly improved the efficiency and return of foreign aid. Foreign aid, while giving a hand to recipient countries, assisted Chinese companies with "going out’", and promoted China’s domestic economy. For another, China realized that foreign aid could be employed as an important tool to upgrade China’s soft power and improve China’s international image. Accordingly, China has dedicated more foreign aid to welfare programs, and paid more attention on management following the hardware construction. Foreign aid in form of human capital has been greatly expanded, and emergency humanitarian assistance is offered more frequently and timely. China has also increased cooperation with international institutions and foreign NGOs, and become more concerned with the needs of local residents and environment elements while providing foreign aid. All the above has improved China’s image in recipient countries and around the world, effectively spread China’s soft power, and helped China gradually establish the position as a responsible great power.