Swedish development cooperation with China

Present cooperation is implemented within the framework of a cooperation strategy, that indicates main priorities, financial resources and eligible cooperation instruments. The objective of the cooperation is to contribute to the reform process and promote:

• environmentally sustainable development
• human rights, legal development and democratisation
• gender equality and social security

Cooperation focuses on areas where Sweden has experience and know how and where there is a Chinese demand. The Swedish contribution consists of the introduction of new ideas, experiences and know how, that can contribute in a limited, but strategic way to the reform process.  Financial contributions (approximately 65 MSEK annually, excluding concessionary credits) are basically covering costs for Swedish experts.

Forms of cooperation:

• Technical cooperation which aims at strengthening institutions and enhance  capacity development
• Chinese participation in Sida’s International Training Programmes
• Embassy fund for support to the Chinese civil society
• Cooperation through Swedish NGOs

In accordance with government decision from 2007 on country concentration in Swedish development cooperation,  China will be subject to a “selective cooperation”, based on mutual benefit and partnership. Swedish and Chinese actors are the core of this cooperation. The current strategy with China will be revised in order to accommodate this priority. Selective cooperation shall constitute a transition from cooperation financed by the development cooperation budget to a cooperation that is financed by the project partners or financed by other funds.

A number of new issues has emerged in the context of development cooperation with China. China as a donor, China’s role in the multilateral system and China’s crucial role in global environmental policies are examples of that. 

For information on currently on-going projects click here.