Order Code RS22663
May 18, 2007Updated January 28, 2008
U.S.-Funded Assistance Programs in China
Thomas Lum
Specialist in Asian Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Summary
United States foreign operations appropriations forassistance to the People’s Republic of China
(PRC) primarily support
supports democracy-related programs, particularly rule of law training,
and support and assists
Tibetan communities. The U.S. Congress has played a leading role in
providing funding
for suchdemocracy programs, which has grown from $10 million in FY2002 to an estimated
$23 million in FY2006FY2007. Major fundingprogram areas include legal training, legal aid, criminal
defense, labor rights, and non-governmental organization (NGO)civil society development in China,
monitoring human rights
conditions in the PRC from outside China, and preserving
Tibetan culture. This report
will be updated annually.
Overview
United States foreign operations appropriations forassistance to the People’s Republic of China
(PRC) primarily fund
supports democracy-related programs and supportassists Tibetan communities both
inside , from both inside
and outside of China. USAID does not have a presence or mission in the PRC, due
in part
to the PRCChinese government’s reported human rights abuses. However, the Peace
Corps Corps
has been involved in English language and environmental education in China since
1993,
and USAID and the State Department have directly funded or administered
programs in China and Tibet since 2000.
Tibet since 2000. The U.S. Congress has played a leading role in promoting democracyrelated programs in the PRC. In the past five years, annual congressionalforeign operations
appropriations for democracy programs in China and Tibet have more than doubled,grown from $10 million
in FY2002
to to approximately $23 million in FY2006FY2007. Major recipients of U.S. grants for
China programs include Temple University (rule of law), the International Republican
Institute (village elections), the Asia Foundation (civil society), and the Bridge Fund
(Tibet).
The Department of State’s East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Bureau and the Bureau
of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) have allocated funding from two
accounts, the Economic Support Fund (ESF) and the Democracy Fund (FY2006FY2007),,1 primarily for
U.S.-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in China, which in
turn have
provided some funding to Chinese NGOsnon-governmental organizations. The East Asia Regional Democracy
1
Also referred to as the Human Rights and Democracy fund (HRDF).
CRS-2
Regional Democracy Fund also has provided some ESF for rule of law and Tibet programs. In FY2006,
Congress earmarked Development Assistance (DA) for U.S. universities to conduct
educational exchanges
programs. Since 2006, Congress has appropriated Development Assistance (DA) to
American educational institutions for exchange programs related to democracy, rule of law, and the environment in China.
For FY2008, the Administration requested $7.8 million from the Child Survival and
CRS-2
Health Account, mostly for HIV/AIDS programs in China, and $1.3 million in ESF for
rule of law programs.
The U.S. Congress has played a
Commonly Used Acronyms
leading role in promoting
democracy-related programs in the
ABA: American Bar Association
PRC. Because of the late enactment
DA: Development Assistance
of the Continuing Appropriations
DRL: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
ESF: Economic Support Funds
Resolution for FY2007,1 support for
HRDF: Human Rights and Democracy Fund
many foreign operations programs in
NED: National Endowment for Democracy
FY2007 have not yet been specified,
NGO: Non-Governmental Organization
but can be expected to remain near
TAF: The Asia Foundation
FY2006 levels. Major recipients of
U.S. grants for China programs
include Temple University (rule of law), the International Republican Institute (village
elections), and the Asia Foundation (civil society).
Some experts argue that legal reform efforts in China have produced limited benefits
due to the lack of judicial independence, weak enforcement of laws, constraints on
lawyers, and political corruption. Others contend that U.S.-funded rule of law programs
in China have helped to build foundations for democratic change — more professional
judicial personnel, more transparent lawmaking processes, and more sophisticated laws
— and have bolstered reform-minded officials in the Chinese government. Many foreign
and Chinese observers have noted that awareness of legal rights in many areas of PRC
society is growing.
Foreign Operations Appropriations
Between 1999 and 2006, the United States government made available or authorized
roughly $110 million for democracy-related programs in China. In FY2006, total funding
for U.S. assistance programs in China represented about 7% of total U.S. foreign aid to
East Asia.2
law, and the environment in China. In 2007, the U.S. government began funding
HIV/AIDS programs in China using Child Survival and Health (CSH) account funds.
Some experts argue that legal reform efforts in China have produced limited benefits
due to the lack of judicial independence, weak enforcement of laws, constraints on
lawyers, and political corruption. Others contend that U.S.-funded rule of law programs
in China have helped to build foundations for
democratic change — more professional
Commonly Used Acronyms
judicial personnel, more transparent lawmaking
processes, and more sophisticated laws — and
ABA: American Bar Association
have bolstered reform-minded officials in the
CSH: Child Survival and Health
Chinese government. Many foreign and
Development Assistance
DA:
Chinese observers have noted that awareness of
DRL: Bureau of Democracy Human
legal rights in many areas of PRC society is
Rights and Labor
growing.
FY2008 Appropriations
ESF: Economic Support Funds
HRDF: Human Rights and Democracy
Fund
NED: National Endowment for
Democracy
NGO: Non-Governmental Organization
OECD:Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development
For FY2008, the Bush Administration
requested a total of $9.2 million for China,
primarily CSH account funds for HIV/AIDS
programs ($7.2 million).2 Economic Support
Funds ($2 million) are to support rule of law
programs, judicial independence, and the role
of NGOs in Chinese society. Tibetan programs
include public health efforts, education, environmental conservation, and job skills
training in Tibetan communities. In addition, the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
FY2008 (P.L. 110-161) provides $15 million for democracy and rule of law programs in
the PRC, Hong Kong, and Taiwan out of the Democracy Fund.3 The FY2008
appropriations measure also mandates $5 million from the ESF account for activities that
preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental
conservation in Tibetan communities in China, and $250,000 to the National Endowment
for Democracy (NED) for human rights and democracy programs related to Tibet. In
addition, $10 million in Development Assistance is to be provided to American
educational institutions and NGOs for programs and activities in the PRC related to
democracy, rule of law, and the environment.
2
3
Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations, FY2008.
Since 2004, the annual congressional authorizations for democracy funds for China have
included Hong Kong and Taiwan. Funding for legal and political reforms in Taiwan shall only
be made available to the extent that they are matched from sources other than the United States
government. Taiwan receives approximately $500,000 annually to develop its export control
system and combat trafficking in persons. Hong Kong receives assistance for strengthening
political parties and supporting democratization ($840,000 in FY2007).
CRS-3
Foreign Operations Appropriations, 1999-2007
Between 1999 and 2007, the United States government made available or authorized
roughly $133 million for democracy-related programs in China. In FY2007, total funding
for U.S. assistance programs in China represented about 7% of total U.S. foreign aid to
East Asia.4 In other comparative terms, the Ford Foundation, which does not receive U.S.
government support, provides grants for projects in several areas, including rule of law,
civil society, rural development, education, and public health ($220 million during 19882006). European aid efforts, particularly in the area of PRC legal reform, reportedly have
1
P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, FY2007 amends the Continuing
Appropriations Resolution, FY2007 (P.L. 109-289, division B, as amended by P.L. 109-369 and
P.L. 109-383).
2
For FY1999-FY2003, totals are taken from General Accounting Office, “Foreign Assistance:
U.S. Funding for Democracy-Related Programs,” February 2004. For FY2004-FY2006, totals
are taken from congressional foreign appropriations laws. Some of the money that was provided
or authorized by Congress during these periods may not have been allocated. A small portion of
funding for FY2006 will be obligated in FY2007. In FY2004-FY2006, although most foreign
operations funding for China would pass through the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and
Labor, DRL reported $55 million for China programs compared to $67 million in funds
appropriated or authorized by Congress. For further information, see CRS Report RL31362, U.S.
Foreign Aid to East and South Asia: Selected Recipients, by Thomas Lum.
CRS-3
far surpassed those of the United States in terms of funding, with greater emphasis on
commercial rule of law.3
far surpassed those of the United States in terms of funding, with greater emphasis on
commercial rule of law.5 According to OECD data, the top donors of bilateral official
development assistance (ODA) to China (2006) are Japan ($1.5 billion), Germany ($441
million), and France ($186 million). However, some major aid donors, such as Japan and
Germany, provide a large share of their foreign assistance in the form of loans rather than
grants.6 Some policy makers in these countries have advocated reducing their
development aid to China, due largely to China’s rise as an economic power.
FY2000-FY2003 Appropriations. Prior to 2000, China received only Peace
Corps assistance. The consolidated appropriations actConsolidated Appropriations Act for FY2000 (P.L. 106-113)
provided $1 million for U.S.-based NGOs (to preserve cultural traditions and promote
sustainable development and environmental conservation) in Tibet as well as $1 million
to support research about China, and authorized ESF for NGOs to promote democracy in
Chinathe PRC. For FY2001 (P.L. 106- 429), Congress authorized up to $2 million for Tibet. In
In FY2002 (P.L. 107-115), Congress made available $10 million for assistance for activities
activities to support democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in China, and Hong Kong,
including up
to $3 million for Tibet. In FY2003 (P.L. 108-7), Congress provided $15
The FY2003 foreign operations funding measure (P.L. 108-7),
provided $15 million for democracy-related programs in China, including up to $3 million
for Tibet and
$3 million for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
FY2004-FY2006FY2007 Appropriations. In 2004, the Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights and Labor became the principal administrator of China democracy programs. The
FY2004 appropriations measure (P.L. 108-199) made available $13.5 million for China,
and Hong Kong, and Taiwan, including $3 million for NED. Appropriations for FY2004
provided a
special earmark for Tibet ($4 million). In FY2005 (P.L. 108-447), Congress
provided $19 million for
China, including $4 million for NED, and authorized $4 million for Tibet and $250,000
for NED in Tibet (P.L. 108-447). The FY2005 appropriations measure authorized the use
of Development Assistance to American universities for educational exchange programs
related to democracy, rule of law, and the environment. The conference agreement
(H.Rept. 109-265) on the FY2006 foreign operations appropriations bill (H.R. 3057,
signed into law as P.L. 109-102) authorized $20 million for China and Hong Kong. In
addition, Congress recommended $3 million to NED. For Tibet, P.L. 109-102 authorized
$4 million for Tibet and Tibetan communities in China and $250,000 to NED in Tibet.
The FY2006 appropriations measure also appropriated $5 million in Development
Assistance to American educational institutions for legal and environmental programs in
the PRC.4 (See Table 1.)
Foreign Aid Restrictions. Many U.S. sanctions on the PRC in response to the
Tiananmen military crackdown in 1989 remain in effect, including some foreign aidrelated restrictions, such as “no” votes or abstentions by U.S. representatives to
international financial institutions regarding loans to China (except those that meet basic
human needs).5 The Foreign Operations Appropriations Act for FY2002 lifted the
restrictions (effective since FY2000) requiring that ESF for China democracy programs
3
The European Union reported “co-operation projects” worth $325 million (250 million Euros)
during 2002-2006, including legal and judicial assistance, social reform, education, the
environment, and economic development. See Delegation of the European Commission to China,
available at [http://www.delchn.cec.eu.int/en/Co-operation/General_Information.htm].
4
S.Rept. 109-96 on H.R. 3057, the FY2006 foreign operations appropriations bill, recommended
Vermont Law School, the University of Louisville, and the University of Western Kentucky as
possible recipients of these funds.
5
Pursuant to Section 902 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1990-91 and Section
710(a) of the International Financial Institutions Act. For further information, see CRS Report
RL31910, China: Economic Sanctions, by Dianne E Rennack.
CRS-4
4
For FY1999-FY2003, totals are taken from General Accounting Office, “Foreign Assistance:
U.S. Funding for Democracy-Related Programs,” February 2004. For information on U.S.
assistance to Asia, see CRS Report RL31362, U.S. Foreign Aid to East and South Asia: Selected
Recipients, by Thomas Lum.
5
The European Union reported “co-operation projects” worth $325 million (250 million Euros)
during 2002-2006, including legal and judicial assistance, social reform, education, the
environment, and economic development. See Delegation of the European Commission to China,
available at [http://www.delchn.cec.eu.int/en/Co-operation/General_Information.htm].
6
Approximately 90% of Japanese ODA to China has come in the form of loans, according to
some sources. See The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, “Overview of Official Development
Assistance to China” [http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/region/e_asia/china/index.html].
German aid to the PRC reportedly also includes a substantial loan component. See “As China
Booms, Germany Politicians Question Continuing Aid,” Deutsch Welle, July 27, 2007.
CRS-4
for Tibet and $250,000 for NED in Tibet. In addition, the FY2005 appropriations
measure authorized the use of Development Assistance for American universities to
conduct U.S.-China educational exchange programs related to democracy, rule of law, and
the environment. The conference agreement (H.Rept. 109-265) on the FY2006 foreign
operations appropriations bill (H.R. 3057, signed into law as P.L. 109-102) extended $20
million for China. For Tibet, P.L. 109-102 authorized $4 million for Tibet and Tibetan
communities in China and $250,000 to NED in Tibet. The FY2006 appropriations
measure also provided $5 million in Development Assistance to American educational
institutions for legal and environmental programs in the PRC. Because of the late
enactment of the Continuing Appropriations Resolution for FY2007 (P.L. 110-5), many
U.S. foreign aid programs for the year were not specified but funding continued at or near
FY2006 levels.
Table 1. Selected U.S. Grant Assistance to China, 2000-2006
(thousand dollars)
Account
FY07
est.
FY08
est.
FY00
FY01
FY02
FY03
FY04
FY05
FY06
CSH
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,800
7,290
DA
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,950
5,000
10,000d
ESF a
1,000
28,000b
10,000
15,000
13,500
19,000
20,000
19,000
17,000d
ESFTibet
—
—
—
—
3,976
4,216
3,960
3,960
5,250d
1,435
1,298
1,559
977
863
1,476
1,683
1,886
1,953
—
—
6,400
—
—
—
—
—
—
2,435
29,298
17,959
15,977
18,339
24,692
30,593
34,646
41,493
Peace
Corps
Laborc
Total
Sources: U.S. Department of State congressional budget justifications for foreign operations; congressional foreign
operations appropriations legislation.
a. Not specified in State Department annual budget justifications.
b. Compensation for the accidental NATO bombing of the PRC Embassy in Belgrade.
c. Department of Labor programs to promote workers’ rights, greater awareness of labor laws, legal aid services to
women and migrant workers, and health and safety standards in China, pursuant to P.L. 106-286 (granting China
permanent normal trade relations status, or PNTR).
d. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2008 (P.L. 110-161) provides $10 million for U.S.-China educational
exchanges (DA), $15 million for China/Hong Kong/Taiwan democracy programs (ESF), and $5.25 million for
Tibetan community assistance (ESF).
Foreign Aid Restrictions. Many U.S. sanctions on the PRC in response to the
Tiananmen military crackdown in 1989 remain in effect, including some foreign aidrelated restrictions, such as “no” votes or abstentions by U.S. representatives to
international financial institutions regarding loans to China (except those that meet basic
human needs).7 The Foreign Operations Appropriations Act for FY2002 lifted the
7
Pursuant to Section 902 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1990-91 and Section
(continued...)
CRS-5
restrictions (effective since FY2000) requiring that ESF for China democracy programs
be provided only to NGOs located outside the PRC. Tibet programs are still restricted to
NGOs. Congress has required that U.S. representatives to international financial
institutions support projects in Tibet only if they do not encourage the migration and
settlement of non-Tibetans (the Han Chinese majority) into Tibet or the transfer of
Tibetan-owned properties to non-Tibetans, which some fear may erode Tibetan culture
and identity. Since FY2002, foreign operations appropriations measures have barred U.S.
assistance to
The U.S. government suspended funding for the United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) in 2002 because of the UNFPA’s
funding to family planning programs in China, whichwhere the State
Department has
determined retain coercive practices.6
Table 1. Selected U.S. Grant Assistance to China, 2000-2006
(thousand dollars)
Account
FY2000
P.L. 106113
FY2001
P.L. 106429
FY2002
P.L. 107115
FY2003
P.L. 108-7
FY2004
P.L. 108199
FY2005
P.L. 108447
FY2006
P.L. 109102
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,950
ESF (est.) a
1,000
28,000b
10,000
15,000
13,500
19,000
23,000
ESF-Tibet
—
—
—
—
3,976
4,216
3,960
1,435
1,298
1,559
977
863
1,476
1,785
—
—
6,400
—
—
—
—
2,435
29,298
17,959
15,977
18,339
24,692
33,695
DA
Peace Corps
Labor
Total
Sources: U.S. Department of State congressional budget justifications for foreign operations; congressional foreign
operations appropriations laws.
a. ESF for democracy-related programs are based upon congressional appropriations laws. The State Department’s
annual budget reports do not provide totals of ESF- DRL spending in China.
b. Compensation for damages to the PRC Embassy in Belgrade.that coercive family planning practices had occurred. The
Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2008 makes funds available again to the UNFPA,
if they are determined to be eligible under the terms of the Kemp-Kasten amendment, but
forbids such funds from being used for any UNFPA programs in China.8
Key Actors
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. In the past decade,
Congress has supported
increased funding for DRL’s Human Rights and Democracy Fund
(HRDF).
Appropriations for HRDF grew from a yearly average of $13 million in FY2001-FY2002
to $33.7 million in FY2003-FY2005. Congress provided $63 million for HRDF in
FY2006. China programs account for about 25% of spending from its Democracy Fund.
Most DRL funding $13 million in FY2001 to $71 million in
FY2007 (a total of $261 million between 2001 and 2007). In addition, the U.S.
government provided a total of $65 million for National Endowment for Democracy
(NED)-administered HRDF programs between 2003 and 2007. China programs account
for about 25% of allocations from the Democracy Fund. Most DRL funding to China
goes to U.S.-based NGOs, including universities, while some subgrantssub-grants go to PRC
“partner NGOs.”7
69
National Endowment for Democracy. The National Endowment for
Democracy is a private, non-profit organization that promotes democracy around the
world. NED was created by and obtains nearly all of its funding from the United States
government. The Endowment’s China programs receive grants through three channels:
the annual foreign operations earmark for NED — the “core fund” — ($50 million in
FY2007), out of which approximately $2 million is devoted to China programs each year;
the annual congressional earmark for democracy-related programs in the PRC ($2.9
7
(...continued)
710(a) of the International Financial Institutions Act. For further information, see CRS Report
RL31910, China: Economic Sanctions, by Dianne E. Rennack.
8
The “Kemp-Kasten” amendment to the FY1985 Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 99-88)
bans U.S. assistance to organizations that support or participate in the management of coercive
family planning programs. For further information, see CRS Report RL33250, International
Population Assistance and Family Planning Programs: Issues for Congress, by Luisa
Blanchfield.
79
For a listing of HRDF projects, see U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights, and Labor, HRDF Projects, 1998-Present [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/c12440.htm].
Because of political sensitivities, DRL does not disclose the names of its grant recipients.
CRS-5
National Endowment for Democracy. The National Endowment for
Democracy is a private, non-profit organization that promotes democracy around the
world. NED was created by and obtains nearly all of its funding from the United States
government. The Endowment’s China programs receive grants through three channels:
the annual foreign operations earmark for NED — the “core fund” — ($74 million in
FY2006), out of which approximately $2 million is devoted to China programs each year;
the annual congressional earmark for democracy-related programs in the PRC ($3.256
million to NED in FY2006FY2007); and DRL grants to NED’s “core institutes.”810 During the
FY1999-FY2003 period, about 38% of U.S. government funding for democracy-related
programs in China was allocated through the Endowment.911 NED began awarding grants
to U.S.-based organizations supporting democracy in China in the mid-1980s and funded
significant in-country programs in the 1990s (worth nearly $20 million). Through its
grant-making program and core institutes, NED supports pro-democracy organizations
in the United States and Hong Kong, helps to advance the rule of law, promote the rights
of workers and women, and strengthen village elections in China, and assists in the
development of Tibetan communities.10
Major12
Selected U.S.-Funded Programs and Grantees
Rule of Law. In 1997, President Clinton and PRC President Jiang Zemin agreed
to establish a “Rule of Law Initiative.”
Rule of Law. Since 2001, the State Department and USAID
have provided $12
million for the Temple University rule of law program in China,
launched in 1999 in
collaboration with Tsinghua University in Beijing and two U.S.
partners or sub-grantees
— New York University and Brigham Young University.11
13 Temple University’s Master
of Laws (LLM) program in China is the first and only of its
kind, educating over 600
Chinese legal professionals, the majority of whom are officials
in the executive (State
Council), legislative, and judicial branches of government.12 In
14 In 2006, USAID
administered a grant of $1.1 million for a rule of law program bringing
together two U.S.
universities (University of the Pacific and American University) and
three Chinese universities.
8 three Chinese
universities. Since 2002, the American Bar Association (ABA) has conducted several
rule of law programs in China with the support of USAID, including the China
Environmental Governance Training Program and the China Legal Aid project.
Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA). During the
past eight years, USAID’s ASHA has supported the construction and equipping of the
Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai. ASHA has also assisted
the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies in Nanjing and provided
a grant to Project Hope to support training for the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center.
10
NED’s core institutes or grantees are: the International Republican Institute (IRI); the American
American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS); the Center for International Private Enterprise
Enterprise (CIPE); and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI).
9
11
General Accounting Office, “Foreign Assistance: U.S. Funding for Democracy-Related
Programs,” February 2004.
10
12
Eric T. Hale, “A Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of the National Endowment for
Democracy, 1990-1999” (Ph.D. dissertation, Louisiana State University, 2003), pp. 173-4. For
a listing of NED projects, see National Endowment for Democracy, Grants — 2005 Asia
Programs.
1113
DRL supports eight U.S. universities conducting rule of law programs in China.
Approximately 150 U.S. law schools operate programs in China, mostly offering courses and
short-term programs for American students to study PRC law; about one dozen U.S. law schools
have developed exchange programs. See National Committee on United States-China Relations
at [http://www.ncuscr.org].
12
Temple University Beasley School of Law, Rule of Law Projects in China: 2005-06 Annual
Report; Adelaide Ferguson, Temple’s Rule of Law Programs in China, March 2006.
CRS-6
Since 2002, the American Bar Association (ABA) has conducted several rule of law
programs in China with the support of USAID, including the China Environmental
Governance Training Program and the China Legal Aid project. The environmental
program, in cooperation with China’s State Environmental Protection Agency, has
provided environmental policy training to local and regional governmental officials,
lawyers, academics, NGOs, and industry representatives in several Chinese cities. In
2002, the ABA implemented a training program in the United States for a delegation of
Chinese legal aid practitioners.
Department of Labor. The Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor
Affairs has sponsored programs in China pursuant to P.L. 106-286 (granting China
permanent normal trade relations status, or PNTR). In October 2002, the Department of
Labor awarded a four-year, $4.1 million grant to Worldwide Strategies, Inc., with the Asia
Foundation and the National Committee on United States-China Relations as
subcontractors, to help the PRC government develop laws and regulations that protect
internationally recognized workers’ rights, promote greater awareness of the law among
Chinese workers and employers, strengthen industrial relations, and improve legal aid
services to women and migrant workers. The Department of Labor also awarded a fouryear, $2.3 million grant to the National Safety Council to help improve safety and health
conditions in Chinese coal mines.
Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA). During the
past eight years, USAID’s ASHA has supported the construction and equipping of the
Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai. ASHA has also assisted
the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies in Nanjing and provided
a grant to Project Hope to support training for the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center.
Tibet. Since FY2000, the U.S. government has provided foreign aid funding to the
Bridge Fund, a private, non-profit organization that implements community development
projects in Tibetan areas of China. The Bridge Fund has created programs in the spheres
of economic development, healthcare, education, cultural preservation, and environmental
conservation in Tibet and Tibetan communities in five western provinces of China. Other
U.S.-based and U.S.-funded NGOs in Tibet include Winrock International and The
Mountain Institute. The Department of State’s Bureau of Population and Refugee
Migration has provided Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) to the Tibet Fund for
Tibetan refugee communities in India and Nepal.
The Asia Foundation. The Asia Foundation (TAF) is a private, non-profit
organization that sponsors civil society, democracy, and economic development programs
in Asia. TAF receives an annual congressional earmark ($13.8 million in FY2006) as
well as DRL grants for several projects in China, including the following: strengthening
local non-governmental networks and organizations; empowering communities and civil
society organizations; promoting government transparency, public participation, and
public interest law; and developing grassroots mediation processes. TAF’s activities
“complement U.S. Government efforts to advance U.S. national interests in the AsiaPacific region.”13
13
U.S. Department of State, International Affairs Function 150, Fiscal FY2007 Budget Request.
14
Temple University Beasley School of Law, Rule of Law Projects in China: 2005-06 Annual
Report; Adelaide Ferguson, Temple’s Rule of Law Programs in China, March 2006.