The 21st Century The United States Aid To Africa, A Comparative Study

At the beginning of the 21st century, the United Nations had issued the Millennium Development Goals, which marks a new round of foreign aid flow over the world. As one of the poorest and most backward region in the world, Africa brings together 35 countries out of the world's 49 least developed ones. Also combined with its rich natural resources and strategic values, Africa has become the arena of public diplomacy and foreign aid among the major powers.With the coming of the 21st century, as a member of the developing countries, China has further enhanced its international status, national strength and domestic development as well as improved its foreign aid policy: further dilute the ideological factors, highlight the purpose of economic development, diversify the subjects and forms on foreign aid, and reinforce the concern of non-traditional security factors. In the 21st century, especially after the "9.11" terrorist attack, based on economic considerations and counter-terrorism needs, The United States strengthens its foreign aid policy towards Africa: focus on new strategic goals, shift to anti-terrorism and humanitarian assistance, and adjust the U.S. aid agencies.Comparing between the two countries, we can find: as far as aid concepts are concerned, China's aid "without any conditions" is more attractive to Africa, and the foreign aid of U.S. concerns more about its national interests and global strategy. About the aid system, China's aid decision-making power is more concentrated, while the U.S. decision-making system is more mature, and China's assistance mainly flows to poorest countries, while the aid distribution of U.S. is biased towards its strategic layout. For the aid quality, China's external assistance has shown strong momentum in recent years, won recognition by Africans, but the China's participation in multilateral mechanisms and publicity of aid information should be improved. The cooperation of China and U.S. on aid to Africa will be very meaningful and significant to African development and mutual trust of Sino-US relationship.