Beijing: China has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international development cooperation, announcing an additional RMB 100 million (approximately USD 14 million) in emergency humanitarian material assistance to Venezuela following the devastating earthquake that recently struck the country. The announcement was made during the second-quarter 2026 press conference of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), where officials also outlined China’s expanding partnerships across the Global South in areas including infrastructure, public health, digital development, climate action, and disaster response.
CIDCA spokesperson Tang Ying said the earthquake in Venezuela caused significant casualties and widespread destruction, prompting Acting President Delcy Rodríguez to declare a nationwide state of emergency. Following President Xi Jinping’s message of sympathy, the Chinese government immediately provided emergency cash assistance and has now pledged an additional RMB 100 million worth of humanitarian supplies to support relief operations and post-disaster reconstruction efforts.
Highlighting China’s broader development agenda, Tang noted that 2026 marks both the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative (GDI). Over the first half of the year, China signed numerous development cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding, and project implementation documents with countries across the world. The agreements cover sectors such as infrastructure, vocational education, smart education, agricultural poverty alleviation, healthcare, and human resource development.
As an example, CIDCA cited the recent visit of Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, during which both sides signed cooperation documents for the Mozambique-China Cultural Center and human resources development. President Chapo also participated in CIDCA’s Third High-Level Conference on Global Action for Shared Development, praising the GDI for placing development at the center of the global agenda.
The agency also reported significant progress under the Global Development Project Pool, established under the GDI. According to CIDCA, more than 1,800 development projects have been launched over the past four years, covering all eight priority areas of the initiative and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To address the growing digital divide, China has also introduced the “Digital South” initiative, aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure and sharing technological expertise with developing countries.
On public health, CIDCA reaffirmed China’s continued support for African countries battling the latest Ebola outbreak. Emergency humanitarian assistance has already been provided to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while anti-epidemic medical experts have been deployed and additional medical supplies are scheduled for delivery to Uganda. The agency noted that 44 Chinese medical teams comprising nearly 1,000 healthcare professionals are currently working across Africa to strengthen epidemic prevention and healthcare services.
China also highlighted its long-standing cooperation in sports infrastructure across Africa. Officials pointed to the National Stadium in Cape Verde, constructed with Chinese assistance, which recently hosted the country’s historic FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. Beyond construction, China has continued to provide technical maintenance, equipment upgrades, and local personnel training. Similar cooperation has supported the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Côte d’Ivoire and preparations for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.
Discussing ASEAN cooperation, CIDCA stated that China has partnered with international organizations including UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO to implement more than 20 development projects across ASEAN member states. These initiatives focus on poverty reduction, education, healthcare, food security, agricultural development, and disaster management. Officials also highlighted the launch of the China–ASEAN Disaster Management Cooperation Project, aimed at strengthening regional disaster preparedness and resilience.
During a newly introduced “Feature Story of Development Cooperation Project” segment, CIDCA showcased the Vientiane Saysettha Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone in Laos as a flagship example of China-Laos green cooperation. Over the past four years, China has supported the project through solar-powered street lighting, new energy vehicles, environmental management systems, and technical training. According to official estimates, the first batch of clean energy equipment supplied by China is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by more than 1,200 tonnes, equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of over 100,000 trees, while simultaneously promoting local employment and business development.
