China sees itself as both a major power and a developing country that is eager to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals – domestically and internationally. In this project, we focus on international engagements, and study, in particular, Chinese contributions and actors within development aid and assistance, peace operations, health and education and the environment. We look at this in connection to China’s overall and internationally oriented sustainability- and development politics, and we exemplify using specific country cases and conflicts where Chinese actors play important roles.
The responsible researchers are all affiliated to Norwegian research institutions, but the project includes a number of activities where researchers from China, various African countries and other international colleagues and professionals contribute with their expertise from China- and development related studies. In the final stages of the project, we discuss China’s sustainability politics with consideration to Norwegian interests and development policy traditions.
While the rest of the world is shutting down China is restarting its machinery after months of strict infection measures. China’s role as a development actor may grow.
Elling Tjønneland, CMI
China’s role as an international development actor is growing. What is China hoping to achieve? How do African actors respond, and what are possible implications for Norwegian development policy?
NUPI and CMI researchers meet in Bergen to discuss their ongoing work on Chinese and Nordic efforts towards the Sustainable Development Agenda. Erik Solheim, former leader of UN Environment, will comment and share insights from his vast development-related experiences.