On 31 Aug. 2021, China International Development Cooperation Agency and two other authorities jointly released the “Administrative Measures for Foreign Aid” (hereinafter “the Measures”, 对外援助管理办法).

The term “foreign aid” in the Measures refers to the activities that use the government’s foreign aid funds to provide economic, technical, material, talent, management and other support to the recipient.

According to the Measures, aid funds include three types: non-reimbursable assistance, interest-free loan and concessional loan, with their respective purposes. Foreign aid is based on project assistance, and cash assistance can be provided under special circumstances like humanitarian aid.

The Measures strengthens the administration of the implementation of foreign aid. According to the current work division of different departments, China International Development Cooperation Agency shall make overall arrangements for foreign aid implementation departments to organize and implement projects. The foreign aid implementation department shall organize the implementation of a project in accordance with the project approval, select the implementation subject, and shall be responsible for the project safety, quality and progress. The implementation subject shall not assign or illegally subcontract the task undertaken.