Beijing has pledged billions of dollars in aid and debt relief for the world's poorest countries, as President Xi Jinping continues his push to project China as a global power.

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at a meeting on gender equality and women's empowerment at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Photo: Reuters

In his first speech at the United Nations in New York, Mr Xi said yesterday that Beijing would set up a development fund with an initial commitment of $2 billion to help developing countries implement the "post-2015" global sustainable development agenda.

"China will continue to increase investment in the least developed countries, aiming to increase this figure to a total of US$12 billion by 2030," SCMP quoted Mr. Xi as saying.

China will also cancel the debts of the least developed countries this year and launch 600 poverty alleviation and development projects overseas over the next five years. In addition, $2 million in cash will be sent to the World Health Organization, the Chinese president said last weekend.

Xi co-chaired a global leaders' meeting on gender equality and women's empowerment yesterday. He announced that China would contribute $10 million to the UN Women program. He is scheduled to deliver his first speech at the UN General Assembly today.

The September 26 pledge came a day after China pledged $3.1 billion in aid to help developing countries adapt to climate change. Developed countries have long criticized China for not taking enough responsibility for global issues.

During a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on September 26, Xi said China is committed to building a new model of international relations, but developed countries need to "bear their historical and moral responsibility" in supporting developing countries, Xinhua reported./.

According to VNE