China has become a new power in international aid with the Chinese government taking concrete steps and making more investment in international aid, said Frederick Schieck, vice director of USAID in Beijing Tuesday.

At the Fifth High Level Group Meeting on Education For All of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) opened in Beijing Monday, Schieck said Premier Wen Jiabao promised to continue financial support to the educational sector in African countries.

Developing countries, represented by China and India, have become surging new powers in international aid, Schieck said, adding China rendered help to other developing countries while steadily pushing forward its own educational cause.

"China's increasing international aid not only agrees with its domestic situation, but also sets a good example for other developing countries," Schieck said.

He noted that enormous changes have taken place in China over the past few years, which left a deep impression on him since he first came to China in 1988. China has seen rapid progress thanks to the efforts in the educational sector.

He expressed his hope that USAID and China have more communication and cooperation, since the whole world is watching over the development of China.

Pinpointing the request of some developing countries that developed countries should increase their international aid, he said both developed and developing countries should improve their work.

From the perspective of developed countries, developing countries should have a more concrete working plan, avoid misuse of the aid funds. The two sides should also enhance coordination with non-government organizations.

Schieck pointed out the developing countries should make favorable policies to draw in educational investment from private sectors.

According to him, the budget of USAID this year is US$465 million, of which 10 percent will be used in the cause of education for all. USAID put its working focus on under-developed countries in Africa, Latin America and South Asia, and has also set up special funds to help build schools in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In China, Schieck said, USAID gave financial support to the local government on HIV/AIDS prevention. USAID has also applied for US$251 million from congress to help build a monitoring and information network on Avian Flu monitoring in Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

"We have also raised proposal to the Chinese government on avian flu prevention and control program," he added.

The US now ranks as the first largest international aid country in terms of total amount of aid.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2005)