Aid and the Chinese economy - The Qinghai community development project Case Study Teacher's Notes Student Activities Explain how the following problems in the Qinghai Province kept the population trapped in poverty: poor infrastructure subsistance agriculture no access to credit. Design a flow chart demonstrating how the Qinghai aid project was able to 'kick- start' a cash economy. The aid project had economic, social and health goals. Using these three headings, make a list of the project's achievements. Identify the links between these goals and explain why they are inter-related. Investigate the differences in income between rural and urban China. On a map identify the poorest and wealthiest provinces. Suggest reasons why foreign investment has been largely concentrated in the coastal regions. Chinese President Jiang Zemin wants to achieve the goal of "all getting rich together". Identify and explain the problems which could arise for China if the current imbalance is not reduced. The Australian Government's Policy Statement ' Better Aid for a Better Future' (1997) has identified 6 key principles, 5 priority sectors and 2 criticial cross-cutting issues to guide its aid policy in the future. Although this policy was formulated after the Qinghai aid project had started, explore the case study for evidence of these criteria and complete the following table. Where you cannot find evidence, suggest what might be added to the aid project in order to fulfil all the criteria. Six key principles Partnership Response to urgent needs Practical Targeted Australian identity Outward looking                         Five priority sectors Health Education Agriculture and rural development Infrastructure Governance                                         Two cross-cutting issues Gender equality Environment                 Working in small groups, imagine you are helping to 'train the trainers' in a project similar to the one in the case study. You need to help the local officials make a presentation to an isolated village community with a high level of illiteracy. Design a series of flip charts explaining the benefits that the villagers will gain from improved infrastructure, access to credit, experimentation with new crops, and trade with other regions. Devise a series of strategies for the local trainers to ensure that the villagers are encouraged to participate in the discussions and contribute their own ideas for the future. The class could then simulate a village meeting, with the students playing a variety of roles. Summarise the affects of the Qinghai aid project on the following: The allocation of the four resources The influence of market forces Economic performance in the region China's relationship with Australia. As part of the 'train the trainers' program, local officials learnt a wide range of skills. Select three of these skills and explain how these could be applied in future assistance with the province.   Top © Commonwealth of Australia