China said yesterday it would start donating to the World Bank's main concessional loans fund for poor countries, in a move seen as symbolising Beijing's in-creasing readiness to engage with the multilateral organisation.

Beijing's decision to join the Bank's International Development Association is seen as a personal triumph for the bank president, Robert Zoellick. He has encouraged China to co-ordinate itssupport with that of the rest of the international community, amid concerns over Beijing's bilateral assistance, especially in Africa.