China Boosts Funding for Development Institutions, but Voting Power Lags

A new study by the Center for Global Development shows that China, the world's second-largest economy, has increased its funding to multilateral development institutions tenfold since 2010, but its voting power and presence in international bodies still lag behind its economic weight.

Increase in Development Banks and UN Funds

According to the report prepared by the center, Beijing's funding for development banks reached $3 billion in 2024.

During the same period, China's funding for United Nations development-related bodies increased by 47%.

Rise in Climate Finance and Selective Support

China also sharply increased its support for multilateral climate finance, raising it to $5.25 billion in 2025.

Conversely, the country reduced its support for funds like Gavi by 32%, showing that it makes funding decisions quite selectively.

Debates Over the Role of the World Bank and IMF

China, which has long demanded a larger role in the World Bank and IMF, holds a stake of approximately 6% in the World Bank.

Meanwhile, the United States maintains its veto power with a share of around 16%, while Western officials oppose structural changes that would grant China greater voting power.

Positions in International Institutions and Borrowing

Published ahead of the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, the study revealed that China has become the fifth-largest donor to the International Development Association with a $1.5 billion pledge.

While Chinese nationals hold five top management positions in development banks, Beijing is known to have lost some senior positions in certain UN agencies since 2020.

Decline in Development Bank Borrowing

China also significantly reduced its borrowing from development banks, lowering the figure from $8 billion in 2021 to $4.7 billion in 2024.

With the World Bank announcing it will halt all lending operations to China after 2031, the country ranks 18th in this category.