Examining China’s trilateral development cooperation: Rhetoric, practices, and unfulfilled potential?

Zhou, H., & Cheng, H. (2026). Examining China’s trilateral development cooperation: Rhetoric, practices, and unfulfilled potential? In E. N. Tjønneland (Ed.), Chinese Development Aid and Africa: What, How, and Why (pp. 71–92). London and New York: Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781003485025-4.

Abstract

Against the broader context of donor pluralism, trilateral development cooperation (TDC) has received renewed interest within development policy circles, with supporters arguing that TDC reflects the changing geographies of aid and helps to forge new, more equitable global development partnerships. China has demonstrated an openness to TDC, accumulated experience in collaborating with a number of traditional donors in trilateral projects, and integrated TDC into its policy development regarding development cooperation and Africa policy. Taking stock of the existing literature and Beijing’s policy documents, this chapter seeks to trace China’s historical and current engagement with TDC, identify any existing discrepancies between China’s rhetoric of and practices in TDC, and critically explore the degree to which China’s TDC plays a transformative role in contributing to more plural, inclusive, and balanced partnerships and development.