A$100 = US74

Australia's total official development assistance program for 1995/96, including contributions to multilateral agencies, amounts to A$1,563 million, some 0.33% of GNP.

Of this, A$85.7 million is earmarked for China.

Approximately half of this sum is used in 'concessional finance' arrangements (not listed in detail here) providing loans and grants to buy Australian goods and services.

Most of the rest is used for Technical Cooperation (TC) projects agreed between AusAid (Australian Agency for International Devlopment, fomerly known as AIDAB) and the Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs (DITEA) of the Chinese trade ministry (MOFTEC.) Smaller grants support agricultural research, international seminars, scholarships for Chinese students, projects managed by Australian ngos and a scheme to boost private sector development

The AusAid/NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) is a global Ausaid program to support activities initiated by ngos "clearly identifiable as Australian."

The China Australia NGO Scheme (CHANGES) allocates up to A$1 million per annum for community development work carried out by ANCP registered ngos in officially designated 'poverty counties.'

Funds are also available exclusively to Australian ngos for 'innovative projects with an environmental focus' under the NGO Environment Initiative, but only A$75,867 have so far been disbursed in China under the scheme.

A further A$1.3 million have been allocated to current projects under the Small Activities Scheme (SAS) which is administered by AusAid in Beijing, in consultation with MOFTEC. Funds, to a maximum of A$100,000 per project, are used in designated poverty areas for local government projects usually at county level, ranging from provision of materials or buildings to in-country training. or self help programs. Water supply and teacher training are typical, implemented by Chinese institutions, but 'Australian individuals or organisations engaged in development activities' are also eligible to apply for funding provided they have the support of the local trade ministry department.

A small number of grants, to a maximum of A$10,000, are also made at the Ambassador's discretion under the Direct Aid Program (DAP.)Eight current projects include village water supply and school refurbishment.
Slightly more than A$140,000 has so far been disbursed to China through a Women in Development Small Grants Scheme (WIDSGS.) Ngos, academic, governmental and multilateral agencies can apply for grants for projects which 'enhance women's economic legal and social status,' 'strengthen women's role in environmental management' or 'support skills training (preferably in-country) for women.'

Agriculture

A five year, A$7 million TC project in Urumqi and Nanshan, intended to improve sheep raising through a 'farming research and development approach' coordinated through the Xinjiang Academy of Social Science, is now in its final, extension phase.

Improving techniques and facilities for processing Australian wool in selected mills is the aim of a three year, A$4 million regional project now being implemented by the Australian Wool Research and Promotion Organisation.

The TC program is also funding a A$1 million, three year study of seed sector policy and commercialisation strategies, to be implemented by the World Bank.

A$5 million have been contributed to a two year Agricultural Support Services Project, aimed at improving extension and research capacities in ten provinces.

In Hebei an A$4.9 million, five year watershed management project, aimed at 'developing sustainable agricultural and livestock systems in Xingtai County' is just starting.

Agricultural Research

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, established in 1982 and funded from the overseas development budget, is currently conducting 14 research programmes in China, in conjunction with Chinese and Australian academic institutions.

Present research projects cover: animal diseases (bluetongue and infectious coryza;) feed processing; faba bean germplasm enhancement; integrated pest management; grain storage; forage management; boron and zinc levels in soil; hybrid seed production through boron deficiency, and sulfur nutrition.

Around A$8 million is committed to ongoing programs, most running over several years.

Community Development

In Qinghai a large community development project is just entering its three year implementation phase, with A$4.3 million funding from AusAid and a Chinese contribution of A$2.2 million.

The project aims to improve the living standards of 6,550 poor households (in 233 villages in Ledu, Pingan and Huangzhong Counties) by providing paid work building 63km of rural roads, and encouraging in- vestment of savings in income generating activities. Revolving credit funds will also be set up, and training given to agricultural extension, health and education workers.

The project will be carried out by Australian consultants, Hassall & Associates in partnership with the Qinghai Department of Trade.

A two year poverty alleviation program in Dingri and Xigatse prefecture, Tibet, with an anticipated AusAid contribution of A$2 million, is still in the design stage.

Under the CHANGES scheme, the New South Wales Salvation Army is to receive A$ 300,000 for a three year integrated development program in Bulang township (Puding, Guizhou) to be carried out in association with local government and the Amity Foundation. The plan involves irrigation, animal husbandry, income generation, reafforestation, and vocational training.

World Vision Australia are also to receive A$271,000 from CHANGES for integrated rural development work, currently in the design stage, in Nandan County, Guangxi.

SAS grants support rabbit raising in Xifeng city, Gansu, building of community halls in in Haidong prefecture, Qinghai, and training in wild vegetable production for farmers in Yinshang county, Hubei.

Education

Seventy six scholarships for postgraduate study in Australia (leading to Masters and Phd degreees) were awarded last year (94/95) to applicants from government ministries and institutions selected in collaboration with the foreign trade and education ministries. Total expenditure on the scholarship schemes was A$5.35.

A further A$4 million is currently allocated for projects which promote þlinks of quality and substanceþ between Australian and Chinese tertiary institutions.

The Small Activities Scheme has funded four ongoing teacher training projects: an in-service training program in Ebian county, Sichuan, (A$65,885); building and equipping a teacher training centre (with anticipated intake of 1500 students this year) in Zuoquan County, Shanxi, (A$75,789); building lecture rooms and providing training equipment in Gaizi, Xunhua Country, Qinghai, (A$43,500); and equipping a teacher training centre (together with some local Hui schools) in Huhot City, Inner Mongolia. (A$47,500.) A primary school in Xiji county, Ningxia, was rebuilt and equipped with A$33,570 SAS funding.

Under the Direct Aid Programme small grants (A$10,00 or less) have recently been made to renovate individual schools in Sanming (Fujian,) Mabian (Sichuan) and Qianguoerluousi (Jilin,) and to buy equipment and teaching materials in Guiyang (Guizhou,) Taoyuan (Hunan) and Chingeltei (Nei Mongol.)

The Australian Marist Mission Centre has received A$27,390 to run training courses for teachers of hearing impaired children in Hebei and Heilongjiang.

Environment

Concessional finance grants have been combined with multi-million dollar loans and credits to promote cleaner energy projects in Liaoning, Hubei, Henan, Hebei and Shandong provinces, and for construction of water and sewage treatment facilities in Wei Hai (Shandong,) Kunming, (Yunnan) and Hefei (Anhui.) New agreements are expected shortly, to finance water treatment projects in Zhangzhou (Fujian,) Xingtai (Hebei) and Tianjin; a garbage incincerator and power generation plant in Shenyang (Liaoning) and a battery recycling plant in Shanghai.

A four year, A$6.7 milliion TC project aims to improve mine waste management in Anhui and Shanxi by setting up a mine waste research institute, testing research methods and producing a rehabilitation manual.

In Inner Mongolia, A$6.9 million has been contributed to a grasslands conservation project, just starting in Xingan League, aimed at training livestock farmers to improve forage crops, breeding, processing and marketing.

On Hainan island, A$5 million funding has been approved to develop a 'land resource fundamental information' system, in conjunction with local planning authorities, to aid development planning, including the design of an industrial infrastructure distribution plan.

In Hubei and Guangxi provinces, AusAid contributed A$1.4 million and A$1.02 million respectivley to the design phase -- conducted by Australian consultants in conjuction with the local environmental protection bureaux -- of large urban environment programmes, embracing sewage and waste management and industrial pollution control, the implementation of which will be funded by the World Bank.

Tree planting and animal husbandry in four experimental areas of Changtou river valley, Shanxi, has been supported with a grant of $A97,225 from the SAS scheme.

In 1994/95 CARE Australia was given $A75,857 (under NGOEIS) to carry out a firewood replacement project in Du An county, Guangxi. The Salvation Army has received $A14,700 from the ANCP to install 600 biogas systems and train villagers in their maintenance.

Health

Contributions of A$650,000 and A$237,000 respectively have been made to ongoing neonatal tetanus immunisation and acoute respiratory infections programmes (the latter aimed at 'improving doctors' communication skills and and advice on home care') implemented by WHO and the Chinese health ministry in Qinghai, Ningxia, Hubei, Guangxi and Inner Mongolia.

In Pengyang and Jingyuan counties, Ningxia, A$5.2 million has been committed to a 3-5 year family planning women's and children's health project intended to 'demonstrate the viability of an integrated, voluntary approach in achieving family planning goals.' In the first phase, as well as training, village clinics have been equipped and water cellars and pipes constructed.

Also in Ningxia (Tongxin, Guyuan and Yanchi counties) a Maternal and Child Health project, implemented by World Vision Australia with A$595,500 AusAid funding, finished last September. It involved training of health workers, development of a health information system, and improvement to water supplies.

Under the CHANGES scheme UNICEF Australia is receiving A$300,000 for a three year MCH project in Qinghe and Fuyun counties, Altai Prefecture, Xinjiang. The project aims 'to ensure that 80% of nomads in Altai Prefecture will have access to health services' including immunisation of children.

CARE Australia is also to receive A$36,200 under the CHANGES scheme for a primary health care education programme, including training of medical personnel, development of village clinics and the renovation and re-equipping of a township hospital in Chuangkou, Qinghai.

In Anhui, A$300,000 has been committed over three years for intensive reproductive health training of eight women teachers (who are expected to pass on the training to 100 local women per year) at Wannan Medical College. Training will include the 'Billings Ovulation Method' of birth control.

Upwards of A$3.4 million has also been committed to a three year reproductive health and family planning project in Huaiji and Xinxing counties and Zhaoqing municipality, Guangdong, due to begin this year. It is expected to provide training in health delivery, preventive reproductive health, and managment; as well as medical equipment and supplements to prevent micro-nutrient deficiencies that cause birth abnormalities.

Also about to begin is a 3 year A$1.2 million hepatitis diagnosis improvment project, covering staff development and upgrading of equipment in laboratories in Beijing; and a five year disease prevention project, implemented by the World Bank with a A$1 million AusAid contribution, to improve immunisation services and the health authorities' capacity to design STD and HIV prevention programmes.

The Australian Federation of AIDS organisations is training HIV/AIDS trainers in Sichuan with the help of a A$134,250 CHANGES grant; and with a A$110,625 ANCP grant the Australian Red Cross has just completed a survey of community knowledge, attitudes and practices likely to influence the transmission of STDs, including HIV, in Yunnan.
Under the ANCP programme the Australian Council of Churches received A$17,130 for well drilling, hygiene education and primary health care training among ethnic minority communities in northern Jiangsu and northern Anhui. The programme was completed last year, as was a Salvation Army project which received A$12,800 from ANCP to train volunteers and family members of disabled people and create a pilot community based rehabilitation network in Nanjing.

Infrastructure

Over the last five years, deals worth A$15 million have helped finance the building of urban water treatment and supply plants, with a further A$11 million in the pipline for similar projects. In the same period, over A$60 million in concessional finance has been agreed for ongoing or future telecoms projects, including optical fibre cabling and railway signalling.

Under the Small Activities Scheme, grants of A$40,000 -- A$66,000 have been made to local authoriities for water supply or treatment projects in Yuanmou County, Yunnan; Jian County, Jiangxi; Wuyi County, Hebei; Xiji County, Ningxia; Wuchang County, Heilongjiang; Guyang County, Inner Mongolia; Yilong County, Sichuan, and Yishui County, Shandong. (All ongoing or very recently completed.)

The DAP has also provided two small grants (A$10,000 and A$8,000) for water projects in individual villages in Yilong County, Sichuan and Taijiang County, Guizhou.

Management

A management and technical training centre for the non ferrous metals industry has been established in Yan Jiao County, Hebei, with an Ausaid contribution (over five years, ending 1996) of A$9.2 million, which also covered equipment and intitial management training.

A four year, A$5.3 million project now in the design stage will aim at "improved implementation of the "Uruguay Round" trade agreements and "development of foreign trade implementation capacity" through training (including a one year diploma in Australia) and collaborative research with the trade ministry.

Also due to start in 1996 is a series of Enterprise Management Programs by way of training for middle and senior managers in industries and mininistries that offer 'mutual benefit to China and Australia.' The Australian contribution is expected to rise to A$15 million over five years.

Women

Last year grants were made to the All China Women's Federation (SAS -- A$99,000) and the International Women's Development Agency (ANCP -- A$1500) to enable, respectively, ethnic minority women and women in exile to attend the NGO forum at the Beijing women's conference. AusAid also made an A$87,000 WIDSGS grant to an FAO project in which women from Gansu, Hubei, Ningxia and Xinjiang wove tapestries about their lives for exhibition at the forum and conference.

In Jingyuan County, Ningxia, an A$500,000 contribution supports a UNFPA/FAO implemented 'women, population and development' project which has literacy, credit fund, family planning and MCH delivery components.

An A$300,000 CHANGES grant supports an ongoing CARE Australia project, carried out in partnership with the local Women's Federation, to provide training in animal husbandry and silviculture and a revolving capital fund for income generating activities in Du An County, Guangxi. The Du An Women's Union last year also received a small WIDSGS grant (A$4,570) to train 120 women in tailoring.

In Ankang prefecture, Shaanxi, the local trade department has received an SAS grant of A$48,000 to train 2000 women in mulberry planting and silk worm raising.

An A$31,600 WIDSGS grant has been made to the Amity Foundation, which is setting up a vocational traiing centre for women in Feixian County, Shandong.

AUSAID: Bob Mann, Counsellor, Development Cooperation, Australian Embassy, 21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Beijing 100600.
Tel: +86 (10) 5322331; Fax: 5324944

CARE Australia: Jan Hastings, GPO Box 2014, Canberra ACT 2601.
Tel: +61 (06) 2574022; Fax: 2571938.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT AGENCY:
Tania Phillips, PO Box 1680,
Collingwood, Victoria 3066.
Tel: +61 (039) 4171388; Fax: 4160519

MARIST MISSION CENTRE: Vivienne Goldstein, 3 Mary's St, Hunter's Hill, NSW 2110. Tel: +61 (02) 8163187; Fax: 8797126

SALVATION ARMY: Lt. Col. Les Webb, PO Box E12, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes Act 2600. Tel +61 (06) 2733055; Fax: 2731383

UNICEF AUSTRALIA: Sumitra Bala, PO Box N614, Grosvenor Place, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: +61 (02) 2902099; Fax: 2902505

WORLD VISION AUSTRALIA: Douglas Orr, GPO Box 399C, Melbourne, Victoria 3205
Tel: +61 (039) 2872233; Fax:2902505