U.S. Assistance to China (Taken Question)

Office of the Spokesperson (State Department)

Washington, DC

 

Question Taken at the November 4, 2011 Daily Press Briefing

 

Question: Please provide a breakdown of aid to China and what it pays for.

 

Answer: Our assistance to China is decreasing, as China transitions from a recipient to a donor nation. For FY 2012, the Administration requested $12.85 million for programs in Tibet ($5 million), on preventing the spread of infectious diseases ($7 million), and on international narcotics and law enforcement ($850,000). These programs are targeted, scalable with Chinese resources, and directly address U.S. interests such as preventing the spread of diseases across borders.

 

In FY 2010, assistance programs in China totaled $27.2 million, including $6.2 million for rule of law and good governance, $7.4 million in Tibetan areas, $7 million on health, and $6.6 million on environmental cooperation outside of Tibetan areas. None of this funding went to the Government of China. Approximately half of FY 2010 funding for programs in China was directed by Congress rather than requested by the Administration, including for environmental programs.

 

In FY 2010, USAID’s programs in China served the following goals:

 

Rule of Law: To enhance the development of rule of law and good governance in China by supporting U.S. academic institutions that engage with higher education, legal, and judiciary institutions, as well as local government officials.

 

Tibet: To support activities to assist in preserving the distinct Tibetan culture and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities through grants to U.S. organizations.

 

Health: To limit the transmission of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and avian influenza that pose threats throughout the region and globally.

 

Environment: In FY 2010, USAID’s environmental activities in China prevented 257,776 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from being emitted and saved $39.7 million through energy saving and emissions reduction measures.

 

For more detailed information on USAID and State’s programs in China, please visit foreignassistance.gov.