China/Tibet

BACKGROUND

USAID PROGRAMS

ECONOMIC GROWTH: PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
USAID sponsors a project to develop new practices to address water quality protection in southwestern China and to mitigate pollution from coal combustion on China’s eastern coast. This program, a partnership between Western Kentucky University, Southwest University of China, and Anhui University of Science and Technology, is also analyzing the relationship between pollution and public health.

A university partnership for environmental law in China pairs the Vermont Law School with Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong Province in a three-year program of training and technical assistance to strengthen the rule of environmental law.  This project focuses efforts on leadership development, legal discourse and legal reform.

USAID’s water sector governance program provides technical assistance, capacity building and policy development to improve provincial water and sanitation service delivery. Its clean development and climate project offers assistance and training to officials and experts supporting good governance activities for clean energy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.  Expanded USAID programs will help China play a stronger role in fostering international cooperation in combating illegal logging and wildlife trafficking.

GOVERNING JUSTLY AND DEMOCRATICALLY
USAID is addressing rule-of-law issues in China through training in clinical and advocacy education. Its program provides scholarships for Chinese students at two U.S. law schools and an exchange of visiting professors from three Chinese universities. Graduates will return to China as junior professors with U.S. law degrees to sustain the program. The University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, American University’s Washington College of Law, The China University of Political Science and Law, Zhejiang Gongshang University, and The South China University of Technology are participating in the project.

To build the capacity of China’s judiciary, USAID and the University of Massachusetts are working with Chinese judicial training colleges, legal educators, and provincial high courts in three areas: applying rules of evidence in decision making processes and improving the management of pre-trial discovery; increasing the capacity to implement mediation practices; and improving access to the courts through better transparency of adjudication.  The program is also designed to enhance Chinese citizens’ trust in, knowledge of, and access to the legal system.

A new USAID rule-of-law project will begin late in 2008.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE: IMPROVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TIBETANS
USAID is helping Tibetan communities meet socio-economic needs while conserving the environment and preserving their cultural heritage. It is improving access to education, vocational training and health care, and is assisting in enterprise development. Nomads are learning rangeland management, livestock development, and improved crop production. USAID is supporting the preservation of the arts, rare texts, and cultural sites, and is assisting Tibetan artisans market their products.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE: CONFRONTING HIV/AIDS
As part of its regional program, USAID is working in China to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and mitigate its impact on infected people and their families. USAID focuses on high-risk individuals in areas with the greatest incidence of infection. It is providing technical assistance to prevent, detect and treat HIV/AIDS. Its models are being replicated by donors, the Global Fund, and the Government of China.

CONTACT

Sara Walter
Program Development Office
U.S. Agency for International Development
GPF Witthayu Tower A
93/1 Wireless Road
Bangkok 10330 Thailand
Office: (66-2) 263-7440
Fax: (66-2) 263-7499
E-mail: swalter@usaid.gov

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

• ASEAN-Wildlife Enforcement Network Support Program
• Asia Regional Biodiversity Conservation Program
• Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN)
• China Environmental Health Project
• China: Assistance to Tibetan Communities
• China: HIV/AIDS Program
• China: University Partnership for Environment
• China: University Partnerships on Rule of Law
• ECO-Asia Clean Development and Climate Program (CDCP)
• Guangdong Environmental Partnership Program
• Regional Avian Influenza Program
• Regional HIV/AIDS Program
• Regional Infectious Diseases Program
• Responsible Asia Forestry and Trade (RAFT)
• U.S.-China Sustainable Buildings Partnership