China
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Canada’s Commitment
Results
Country Profile
Canada’s Commitment
Since the signing of the General Agreement between Canada and China on Development Cooperation in 1983, CIDA's China Program has evolved from an early focus on technology transfer and broadly-based training programs to a targeted program of specialized cooperation in which Canadian experience and expertise support China’s reforms in good governance, human rights, and democratic development and in environmental sustainability.
Although China is not one of the 25 “development partner” countries in which CIDA programming will expand over the next few years, it remains a country of vital strategic importance to Canada and to the world, and will continue to be a major program country for CIDA.
The goal of CIDA’s current (2005–2010) Country Development Programming Framework for China is to contribute to sustainable development in China through support for human rights, democratic development, good governance, and environmental sustainability in accordance with Chinese government development strategies and the Millennium Development Goals. The program’s objectives are to promote:
- human rights, democratic development, and good governance by focusing on the rule of law and the implementation of international human rights conventions and environmental agreements. This approach takes into account legal, judicial, governmental, and legislative institutions, as well as standards and requirements of international institutions.
- environmental sustainability in China through support for Chinese efforts to manage environmental issues in western regions of China by enhancing the capacity of China's land-resource management systems.
Gender equality is integrated into all programs and activities. In addition, the program gives special consideration to emerging issues such as the threat of new infectious diseases, including SARS and avian flu, arising in China.
 Results
Canada was one of the first international donors to work with China on human-rights issues. In supporting judicial system reforms, CIDA has helped China to reform trial procedures, improve the training of judges, investigate corruption, strengthen due process, and develop a legal-aid system for disadvantaged groups. CIDA has also supported Chinese efforts to protect women’s rights, develop a system of public consultation for legislation, and integrate international environmental and human rights standards into domestic legislation and practices.
Canadian assistance was instrumental in the passage of a national law on the promotion of cleaner production in 2002 and continues to make a difference in agricultural practices to reduce desertification.
Country Profile
China has the world's largest population and the third-largest land mass. Its far-reaching reforms, particularly in the introduction of market systems and increased economic openness, have contributed to an unparalleled reduction in poverty over the last two decades. However, there is an increasing gap between rich and poor, as well as ongoing challenges related to human rights, especially for migrant workers, women, and ethnic minorities, owing to the unfinished nature of China’s governance reforms. In addition, future growth in China is being threatened by serious problems with water and air pollution, acid rain, and internationally significant greenhouse gas emissions produced by burning coal, as well as desertification, deforestation, and loss of agricultural land to soil erosion. These problems also pose a significant threat to the global environment.
Despite these challenges, China has unequalled potential to catalyze development in Asia and contribute to the global achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Economic reforms and increased participation in international organizations have demonstrated that China is willing to take on the responsibilities associated with its emergence on the world stage. A key aim of CIDA’s program is to work with China to implement the undertakings required by international agreements China has signed, especially in the areas of human rights, governance, and environmental protection.
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