China swoops in to replace Asian USAID projects axed by Trump

In late February, the United States has canceled two aid projects in Cambodia to encourage children’s literacy and someone else to improve the feeding and development of children under five years old. A week later, the China Relief Agency announced funding for almost identical goals.

“Children are the future of the country and the nation,” said Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Venbin, during the event, the country’s health and UNICEF official. “We need to take care of the healthy growth of children.”

Before China’s statement does not contain a dollar figure, Chinese money is, in fact, fund the same types of initiatives and development goals as a result of US projects that were not authorized to talk about US projects.

Both focused on “inclusive education” and “most vulnerable children” in accordance with media outlets and procurement documents. They both exhaled school supplies, offering hand washing materials and raising themselves for “vulnerable” families and children with newborns, children with newborns and children.

The sign of the US Programs Price of $ 40 million was small with $ 27.7 billion, the Trump administration said this week that it saved thousands of help agreements. But for Cambodia, whose national GDP is approximately equivalent to this Vermont, it was a big money, and replacing the lost foreign funds is a priority.

The State Department, which monitors USAID, can now fully absorb the agency. At the same time, it is said that the United States has received “significant progress”, investing in Cambodia in the last 30 years, “closely cooperating with the government.”

“Despite the changes in the US approach in foreign assistance, we hope that we will see our relations with Cambodia effectively, because we make the American better,” the department said.

The agreements were stopped on February 26, when President Donald Trump and Advisor Musk began renovation of US foreign aid, which included dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development.

Although only one example seems to be confirmed by democratic and some republican legislators, assisted lawyers and former US officials.

This is especially urgent in Cambodia, where the United States has spent about $ 1 billion since the 1990s. Washington has long since passed China with Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia. Biden’s administration has caused concern over the Chinese military influence in the country’s Ream Naval in the last four years.

But recently the US has moved fasten Defensive ties with the government, which last for the first time last year, provided a US warship for the first time last year.

“DIVISION GIFT”

“It is a diplomatic gift” to China, says Charles Kenny, senior friend of the Global Development Center. “In each country where there is a serious USAID cut if they make small money in the health and education project and say:

The Trump administration has moved to close USAID, to stop most of its foreign aid agreements, the place of fur or abandonment of most of its employees, US lawmakers and national security specialists.

Many of these lawmakers and experts have warned that China may have a further impact on developing countries on infrastructure in Africa, Asia and South America.

And it certainly has it. China has already announced funding Cambodia’s reaction initiative, which has decreased, and later recovered by the United States in mid-March, Beijing as well. proclaim A project for early childhood development in Rwanda, where USAID recently reduced contracts. And Chinese officials have It is reported It is recommended to establish the gaps in Nepal, which is located between India and China.

The willing industry representative for the UN Children’s Fund Cambodia states that the organization and Cambodia signed cooperation with China in 2024.

“Cambodia has made huge progress for children in the last decade,” he said. “But further reductions of the budgets could endanger these hard achievements.”

The Cambodian government was open to painting.

“The Cambodian government is working with many colleagues, and we never rely on any partner,” it said that the text message said through a text message. “Thus, if one partner recalls support, we seek to find another partner to replace it.”

China will “continue to support the economic and social development of” Cambodia “in the South-South cooperation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

“China’s aid policy remains consistent and clear,” the Foreign Ministry continued. “China’s non-intervention principles, not linking any political lines, remain unchanged.”

At the Capitol Hill in Capitol Hill, Trump’s designated Pete Marocco, who attacked the USAID, asked Cambodian projects and a familiar person. Morocco brushed concerns about China, which increase its influence, said this man.

Morocco did not respond to a comment request.

While Trump’s team said that the cancellated projects do not benefit Americans, Diana Putman, who retired African acting President of Africa.

“In this country, their leverage and ability to make a difference in foreign policy are copying the money they bring, and in the global south, this money is mainly the amount of USAID.

This story was originally shown Fortune.com