China and the Future of Global Development Finance

China is the world’s largest bilateral official lender, with its two development finance institutions (DFIs) committing approximately $500 billion to countries between 2008-2024. Such finance helped fill large infrastructure gaps and generated economic growth across the Global South.

However, earlier Chinese financing was significantly carbon-intensive and posed risks to biodiversity.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese lending has slowed significantly and shifted away from the large-scale infrastructure projects that defined the early years of the Belt and Road initiative.  In 2021, Chinese leader Xi Jinping also made a pledge to halt overseas coal investment, illustrating a new focus on green energy.

The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) is a timely opportunity to examine these developments, identify pathways for reform, and explore how China and other actors can align efforts to support more sustainable and resilient development outcomes. Scholars from Africa, Asia, and North America will share perspectives on China’s evolving role and how China's development finance can further contribute to the Finance for Development agenda.

On Monday, June 30 from 2:30-4:00PM CEST, join us for an Official Offsite FFD 4 Side Event that will evaluate the past and consider the promise of Chinese development finance moving forward.

Speakers:

- Abbi Kedir, Director, Research, African Economic Research Consortium

- Kevin Gallagher, Director, Boston University Global Development Policy Center

- Rebecca Ray, Senior Academic Researcher, Boston University Global Development Policy Center

- Yan Wang, Senior Academic Researcher, Boston University Global Development Policy Center

- Zhang Youyi, Deputy Director, Division of African Development Research, Center for International Knowledge on Development