Despite being a developing country, China has been sending aid to other developing countries over the past decades.

From Asia to Africa, from the eastern parts of Europe to the Caribbean islands, many countries have benefited from China's selfless gesture. By the end of 2009, China had sent aid to 161 countries and regions, and more than 30 international and regional organizations. Among them, 123 countries and regions have been long-term recipients of such aid.

According to the White Paper on China's Foreign Aid, released in April 2011, by the end of 2009, the country had given 256.29 billion yuan ($38.83 billion) in aid to foreign countries and regions, including 106.2 billion yuan in grants, 76.54 billion yuan in interest-free loans and 73.55 billion yuan in concessional loans.