A striking aspect of the UN’s world summit in New York this week is that the US has become an aid recipient and China has become an aid donor.

President Bush began his speech to the world by thanking the more than 115 countries that have recently offered aid to the US in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. For its part, China announced a multi-pronged strategy centred on $10bn in aid over the next three years, special assistance to Africa in the fight against malaria, and training 30,000 professionals from developing countries.