Asia-Pacific

UN to raise $374M to assist China's development

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-01 17:25

BEIJING - The United Nations and the Chinese government on Thursday issued a working guideline which encourages China to promote sustainable development, improve poor people's lives and bolster international cooperation.

According to the Development Assistance Framework 2011-15, the United Nations will raise about US$374 million for cooperation projects with China in the coming five years.

China was still a developing country and faced many challenges both now and in the future, said Khalid Malik, UN Resident Coordinator in China.

China has become the world's third largest economy but its 1.3 billion population divided its tremendous economic power.

"In terms of per capita income, China still ranks behind 100 in the world and there are still millions of people whose daily income stand below one dollar," Malik said.

The framework will focus on China's environmental sustainability,climate change, the development of a low carbon economy, the poorest and most vulnerable people's lives and China's participation in the global community.

"The framework, as a guideline for China-UN cooperation in the next five years, will stimulate bilateral cooperation in various field," said Yi Xiaozhun, vice-minister of commerce.

He asked the United Nations to adjust the projects and goals according to the changing situation in China and in world economy.

"There will be increasing uncertainties as China's social and economic development is so fast and the world economic situation is also changing, so we need to make adjustments from time to time," he said.