China and Australia Overseas Aid: Different Approaches, Different Perceptions

In April this year, the Chinese Central Government published its first ever report on foreign aid policy, providing an official account of China’s expanding aid program. A significant portion of this foreign assistance goes to the Asia-Pacific region, which is traditionally the domain of the United States and Australia. This is timely, as the Australian Federal Government released its independent review of aid effectiveness in July this year, in anticipation of a doubling of the aid budget.

This public forum brings together experts from government, academic and development circles to analyse Chinese and Australian aid strategies in the Asia-Pacific region. How do the Chinese and Australian approaches differ, and how are they perceived by recipient nations? Are there tensions in approaches to aid? Are there ways we can learn from one another? What does increased Chinese aid mean for Australian businesses and NGOs?

Speakers:

Paul Nichols, Assistant Director General, North and South Asia Branch, Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID)

Anthea Mulakala, Country Representative Malaysia/Regional Advisor Donor Relations, The Asia Foundation

Dr Chengxin Pan, School of International and Political Studies, Deakin University

Philippa  Brant, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Melbourne