Development cooperation in Germany has been engaged in a polarising debate for some time now, which has also reached the broader public. For example, there were heated and not very constructive discussions about "Cycle paths in Peru".
After the recent federal elections, in the midst of an international economic crisis, geopolitical upheavals and as a result of the massive, abrupt withdrawal of the USA under Donald Trump from international development cooperation, it is interesting to take a look at other development cooperation donors: What are actors such as China, which has developed from a recipient country to one of the most important global donor states within a short period of time, doing differently – or even better – than Germany and other European countries? Can Germany learn anything from a country like the People's Republic of China in terms of development policy, or is the very idea reprehensible – in view of the country's autocratic constitution and a completely different economic and political system?
China's development cooperation, referred to as "South-South cooperation", combines development policy and commercial measures, often neglecting environmental and human rights standards. A well-known example is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which expands trade routes and secures strategic raw materials. China provides its partner countries with cheap loans that they cannot service and subsequently become heavily indebted. Large contracts are often awarded to Chinese state-owned companies. In contrast, there is little added value in the partner country.
China's development cooperation is characterized by a materialistic understanding of development in which economic rights are placed above human and civil rights. China is also trying to introduce this view into multilateral organisations in order to undermine international human rights standards.
Despite all the justified criticism of the problematic aspects outlined above, Germany could nevertheless learn from China's pragmatic approach to focus more on the needs and priorities of partner countries and to make more attractive offers more quickly. This could include promoting economic development, which is currently not a priority of German development cooperation. German companies could also be more closely involved in German and European development cooperation projects in the future. At the same time, Germany, in coordination with the EU, should align its development policy action more strategically and with both values and interests: access to raw materials, climate protection and security interests are important aspects here. This would increase credibility and strengthen support among its own population.
However, it is important that Germany continues to pay attention to values such as human rights and the rule of law, without imposing them on partner countries in return for aid money. Instead, it should demonstrate the advantages of a sustainable development approach and act through conviction, i.e. soft power, rather than conditions.
