China’s overseas humanitarian action and increased contributions to refugee relief have wider implications for the humanitarian sector. Overall, China’s high-level commitments and contributions to refugee relief have gradually increased, with a state-centric approach and a focus on economic development. UN agencies are the primary destination of Chinese government funding for refugees, through vehicles such as the CIDCA and SSCAF within China’s growing institutionalization of development cooperation. Overseas activities of Chinese civil society and the private sector are also developing, even though examples of partnerships on refugee issues remain limited.
China’s political role in humanitarian crises is noteworthy given its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, as well as its mixed and disputed track record of diplomatic engagement in displacement crises – such as in Myanmar and Syria. This makes China one of the countries with the most potential to influence the plight of refugees globally. In assessing China’s overseas activities, it is useful to consider the broader trends of humanitarian action in the Asia-Pacific. Japan’s humanitarian diplomacy and India’s domestic and overseas responses to displacement provide contrasting examples to contextualize Chinese humanitarianism.
To support refugee relief projects, Chinese actors will need to translate high-level commitments into tangible outcomes and sustainable partnerships, within a transparent and robust framework for overseas humanitarian action. It would be prudent not to overestimate Chinese engagement on refugee relief: the issue area is sensitive within Chinese society and practical and normative differences with conventional aid remain, such as approaches to the role of economic development in refugee relief. Finally, reciprocal influence and interests permeate China’s partnerships and role within the UN system. The extent to which humanitarian organizations and Chinese actors are willing to navigate fundamental differences in approach is key in determining whether international organizations and local communities can successfully collaborate with Chinese partners on displacement.
