Over 80% nations got loans from China in the last two decades
INTERNATIONAL – ASIA
26 NOVEMBER 2025
- China lent more than $2 trillion in loans and grants to over 80% of countries and regions in the world between 2000 and 2023.
- The U.S. was the biggest beneficiary.
- Over the years, Chinese state-owned entities have lent about $200 billion for nearly 2,500 projects and initiatives — more than 9% of the total amount lent by China — to American companies.
- Entities in Russia and Australia were the second and the third biggest beneficiaries in the last two decades, receiving $172 billion and $130 billion, respectively, in the period.
- Firms in the 27 member states of the European Union received $161 billion for 1,800 projects and activities.
- Beijing is moving away from its role as an aid provider to relatively poorer nations, as its focus has shifted towards commercial lending for developed countries.
- China’s initial focus was on infrastructural development projects in economically disadvantaged nations.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, which helped develop energy, infrastructure, and connectivity projects in Europe and Asia.
- China has scaled back on its lending to such projects; where BRI once made up 75% of China’s lending operations, it now makes up about 25%.
- As of 2023, Indian entities have borrowed or were granted $11.1 billion from China, with a large amount of this dedicated to the energy sector and banking and financial services. Most of the funds were borrowed with a mix of commercial and developmental intent.
