ADB is an inter-governmental international financial organization of significance in the Asia-Pacific region, providing funds, technical assistance and managerial expertise to the developing countries in the region for the purpose of promoting regional economic and social development and cooperation. ADB is non-profit and its capital comes from all its members.

ADB was founded on 19 December 1966. Its headquarter locates in Manila, the Philippines. ADB has 57 members including 41 regional members and 16 non-regional members. It consists of the Council, the Board of Directors and the Administrative Authorities.

China became a full member of ADB in March 1986. Before China's participation, Taiwan occupied the seat illegally for a long period of time. China, through repeated struggles, reached a Memorandum of Understanding with the ADB Authorities in November 1985, which stipulates that the People's Republic of China become a member of ADB as the sole legal representative of China and Taiwan remain in ADB with the altered designation of Taipei, China.

Since its participation, China has engaged actively in the activities of ADB and enhanced its exchanges and cooperation with the other members. By the end of 2001, loans approved by ADB to China totaled USD11.2945 billion covering 90 programs, US$194 million of technical assistance. Devoted mainly to the infrastructure projects in the fields of energy, transportation and environmental protection and key state projects, the above-mentioned loans have greatly promoted China's economic development.

In April 2000, the representative office in China of ADB was established in Beijing. ADB?s annual meeting of 2002 will be held in Shanghai, China.