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April 21, 2021

Barrasso Secures Key International Lending, Human Rights Provisions in Bipartisan China Legislation

Barrasso provisions end funding for China at World Bank & Asian Development Bank & Reforms UN Human Rights Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) successfully included provisions in bipartisan China legislation that end funding for China at the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Barrasso also included a provision to reform the United Nations Human Rights Council and oppose the election of countries to the council, like China, that have terrible human rights records.

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank were created to assist and support developing countries and help eliminate extreme poverty. Despite having access to capital and being one of the world’s largest economies, China is still receiving loans and assistance from both banks.

Since it passed the graduation criteria in 2016, the World Bank approved $8.9 billion in projects in China. The Asian Development Bank provided China with $7.6 billion in loans and $1.8 billion in non-sovereign commitments to China during that same timeframe.

Two of the provisions Barrasso included in S. 1169, the Strategic Competition Act of 2021, end funding for China both at the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

“China is the second-largest economy and the largest single creditor in the world,” Barrasso said. “There is no reason why China should still be receiving loans from these banks. As China obtains subsidized loans, it is engaging in predatory lending to developing countries across the world. We must refocus international efforts to ensure resources are going to developing countries that need assistance the most. My amendment prohibits both the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank from any more lending to China.”

Barrasso also successfully included a provision in S. 1169 that directs the United States to push for specific reforms at the United Nations Human Rights Council and mandates the United States vote against human rights abusers.

“Defending human rights and the dignity of every person are fundamental American values,” Barrasso said. “Yet the United Nations Human Rights Council continues to allow countries with terrible human rights records, including China and Russia, to be elected and remain on the council. The United Nations should be condemning the human rights violations of Russia and China, not electing them to this body.”

The Strategic Competition Act of 2021 passed by a vote of 21 to 1 at today’s Senate Committee on Foreign Relations business meeting.

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