World Bank to End Lending to China by 2031

The bank’s board is scheduled to review the transition strategy later this month, a move that requires no formal vote but signals a clear departure from past practices. Beijing’s relationship with the institution has shifted dramatically over the last two decades; having graduated from the International Development Association in 2000, China now operates as the bank's fifth-largest donor. This financial transition is already well underway, with annual lending dropping from $2.4 billion in 2017 to a projected $750 million for 2025.

Washington officials have championed the move, maintaining that the world's second-largest economy no longer requires concessional support. While the bank intends to cap total lending at $2 billion through 2031, the eventual cessation of these funds creates pressure on other regional lenders, such as the Asian Development Bank, to follow suit. Despite the funding cutoff, Chinese authorities have expressed an intent to maintain collaborative ties with the institution to address broader global challenges.