Chinese foreign aid expands into digital economy, AI initiatives

China is actively developing new programs of foreign aid with a focus on emerging sectors such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI), according to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, CIDCA spokesman Li Ming said China has been continuously working on cooperation projects aimed at enhancing digital connectivity.

"We have been working continuously to implement cooperation projects on digital economy, as well as digital and smart connectivity. China has helped with the construction of digital infrastructure projects in 15 countries and international organizations, including Pakistan, Laos, Egypt and Uganda. These projects cover areas such as telecommunications, internet services, e-governance, smart transportation and satellites," said the spokesman.

"The China-aided Tanzania National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Broadband Backbone project has reduced phone tariffs in Tanzania by 58 percent, and internet costs by 75 percent, enabling remote rural areas and their residents to enjoy the fruits of digital developments," he added.

China is also stepping up efforts to cultivate digital talent in developing countries, with nearly 300 training programs on digital-related topics held so far.

Meanwhile, Luban Workshop, a project named after an ancient Chinese craftsman to provide vocational skills training for local people in countries and regions across the globe, have expanded their curriculum to include artificial intelligence.

Chinese foreign aid expands into digital economy, AI initiatives

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Monday launched the first phase of a new claims system that will allow importers to seek repayment of tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Companies and their customs brokers can submit refund requests through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal using a newly developed tool known as the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries, or CAPE, starting Monday.

Once a claim is validated, CBP will recalculate the duties without the IEEPA tariffs and reliquidate the entries, triggering repayment. The refunds will be paid directly to the businesses that originally paid the tariffs, local media reported Monday.

Valid refunds will generally be issued within 60 to 90 days after a claim is accepted, CBP said, though more complex cases could take longer.

CBP is rolling out the refund process in phases. Court filings show that more than 330,000 importers paid duties on over 53 million shipments, totaling roughly 166 billion U.S. dollars.

The Supreme Court ruled in February that U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs under IEEPA are unconstitutional. It is Congress, not the president, that holds authority over such taxes.

Following the ruling, a judge at the U.S. Court of International Trade directed CBP to remove the tariffs from affected entries and refund any excess duties collected, along with interest.

U.S. gov't begins refunding tariffs to businesses