WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Administrator Alfonso Lenhardt and People's Republic of China Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to create a framework to facilitate expanded U.S.-China collaboration, communication and cooperation to achieve our shared objectives on development issues.

"This MOU provides an important foundation for future cooperation between the United States and China as we seek to advance global development," said Acting Administrator Lenhardt. "This agreement also serves as a starting point for enhanced collaboration on the new global goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

The MOU identifies several areas for shared focus and potential cooperation, including food security and nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, public health security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster preparedness. The two nations will work together to select initial projects for collaboration in each of these areas. Additionally, the MOU establishes a mechanism for ongoing discussions on common challenges and shared objectives, and to assess progress and share lessons learned.

"As we move forward, USAID believes our development cooperation with China will continue to deepen based on mutual respect for local partners and international standards, strong and consistent communication, and a shared commitment to results and accountability," said Acting Administrator Lenhardt.

For more information about this Memorandum of Understanding, please see https://www.usaid.gov/china/mou.