Abstract
China is now emerging as one of the most important development partners in the world. Based on its double identities as both recipient and donor, China has developed some specialties in terms of international development assistance. What new elements has China brought to the international aid architecture? This essay argues that the Chinese foreign assistance theory has four unique features, namely prioritizing development without setting any precondition; building win-win relationships with recipient countries through promotion of their independent development and national interests; insisting on equality rather than moral preaching, as well as keeping strategic patience while avoiding technical short-sightedness. Despite such specialties, China’s foreign assistance is still practiced under international frameworks; the changes it aims to make should not be regarded as a “quiet revolution,” but as an amendment to the existing international aid architecture.
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