UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday pledged US$2 billion (S$2.8 billion) for a new development fund for poor countries on a UN visit aimed at showcasing Beijing's growing global role.
Xi's announcement, made in his first-ever address to the United Nations, follows long-standing criticism from the United States and other developed countries that China has not taken responsibilities in line with its aspirations for a greater global role.
The speech is the latest high-profile move for Xi on a trip that has included a White House state visit and will see him chair a UN forum on women's rights on Sunday.
Addressing a UN summit on development, Xi said China would act "by putting justice before interests and joining other countries in a concerted effort to realise the post-2015 agenda."
Xi said that China would launch an assistance fund for developing countries with an initial investment of US$2 billion.
The Chinese leader said that his country would also step up investment in UN-defined least developed countries - which are mostly in Africa - by at least US$12 billion by 2030.
China has been an increasingly active investor around the world, although it has generally focused on seeking resources rather than broader humanitarian goals.
In January, Xi promised US$250 billion in investment over 10 years in Latin America, which the United States has long considered its sphere of influence.
Xi said that China would also relieve debts owed by least developed countries this year. He did not provide a figure on the debts or say which countries would be affected.
The United Nations on Friday set a goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030, an effort that the global body says could require up to US$5 trillion a year.
RISING GLOBAL ROLE
China's economy has soared over the past 15 years to become the world's second largest after the United States, although concerns have been rising in recent months over the country's financial markets and long-term growth.
China has increasingly taken an assertive role in the world, especially in myriad disputes with its neighbours, but retains little stake in the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
With a reform plan for the Washington-based institutions blocked by US Republican lawmakers, China has set up its own lender, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
The bank, which Xi reaffirmed would open soon, has widely been seen as a way for China to dilute the influence of the United States and Japan, the most prominent holdouts from the new lender.
"It is important to improve global economic governance, increase the representation and voice of developing countries and give all countries equal right to participating in international rule-making," Xi said.
EASING WESTERN CONCERNS
China's aid commitment remains far below levels of Western countries.
The United States in 2013 provided more than US$30 billion, and Britain, France, Germany and Japan all gave more than US$11 billion, according to the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Xi called on developed countries to remain "the main channel" for assistance to poor nations.
The pledge nonetheless marks the second day in a row in which China has addressed one of many concerns of Western countries.
On his visit Friday to Washington, Xi pledged action on climate change. China is the largest emitter of carbon blamed for the world's rising temperatures.
China promised US$3.1 billion to help developing countries adapt to climate change and said it would set up a "cap-and-trade" system to limit emissions.
