Active Development AidData Chinese Aid

[Cancelled] Chinese Government agrees to provide $5.5 million grant for National Sports Complex Construction Project

$5.5M USD

Funder	China Ministry of Commerce
Recipient Organization	Government of Kiribati
Country	Kiribati
Start Date	Nov 28, 2002
End Date	Jul 30, 2027
Duration	9,010 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`40048`

Grant Description

On November 28, 2002, construction began on an indoor sports complex in Betio Town, Kiribati. The complex was reportedly worth $8 million and it was partially funded by a $5.5 million Chinese Government grant.

The stadium was to include indoor and outdoor basketball courts, a soccer and football field, and a gymnasium with seating for more than 1,000 people.

However, the Chinese Government pulled out of the project and left the stadium half-finished after the Government of Kiribati severed its diplomatic ties with China and established diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Taiwan then agreed to finance the completion of the project and it followed through on this commitment.

📋 Staff Comments

Staff Note 1: This project is also known as the Betio Sports Complex Construction Project. The Chinese project title is 貝壽室內體育館. Staff Note 2: Kiribati severed its diplomatic ties with Taiwan and re-established diplomatic relations with China in 2019.

📚 Sources & References

China Removing Satellite Tracking Station From Kiribati
Work starts on Kiribati capital's Chinese-funded sports complex
China's Programme of Stadium Diplomacy
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES 2004-2007
KIRIBATI NATIONAL ACCOUNTS The Production Account and GDP
TAIWAN AND CHINA RELATIONS IN THE PACIFIC -- UPDATE RE TUVALU
KIRIBATI
AND NAURU
CHINA PULLS OUT OF KIRIBATI
TAIWAN MOVES IN
As Taiwan Loses Influence
China Gains Ground in Race with US
Tiny Republic Embraces Taiwan, and China Feels Betrayed
Betio Sports Complex
President Chen's Report on Cooperation between Taiwan and its Pacific Allies at the First Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit
海軍敦睦支隊訪吉里巴斯 Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.

All Grantees

Government of Kiribati

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