Asia, particularly among the smaller south Asian countries, beginning in the mid-2000s. Nepal benefitted from increased Chinese aid, including Chinese financing for a railway from Kathmandu to Lhasa. China has been an important foreign aid contributor to Sri Lanka since the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009. In Bangladesh, Chinese foreign aid has also become increasingly important. China has built six major "friendship bridges" in Bangladesh, among other projects. Because China has trade surpluses with these countries, its providing of foreign aid is viewed by the smaller south Asian countries as a means of insuring their respective bilateral relationships with China are mutually beneficial. From the 1970s up to 2022 China has reportedly implemented more than 100 aid projects in Pacific Island countries. In August 2022, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China announced that it would forgive 23 interest-free loans that matured at the end of 2021 to 17 unspecified African countries. China's role in the Armenian economy has been a major force for growth and development. Since the early 2000s, China has become Armenia's largest foreign donor, providing over $2 billion in foreign aid between 2000 and 2017. China's foreign aid to Armenia has been largely focused on infrastructure projects, such as roads, power plants and telecommunications networks, as well as assistance in areas of health and education. In 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a new $1 billion investment package for Armenia, which will be used to fund infrastructure and other economic projects. China's foreign aid to Armenia has been a catalyst for economic growth and development in the country. In the five years between 2000 and 2005, Armenia's GDP grew by an average of 6.8% annually, a rate that was more than double the average rate of 2.9% for the same period in the former Soviet Union. This growth was largely due to China's support for Armenian infrastructure projects, which helped to reduce transport costs, promote economic diversification, and improve the country's overall economic competitiveness. In addition to infrastructure projects, China has also provided assistance in other areas of the Armenian economy. In 2017, China provided over $15 million in grants and loans to Armenia to help finance the development of education and health systems. China has also provided technical assistance in the areas of agriculture, energy, and technology. By investing in these sectors, China has helped Armenia become