Japan's low-interest yen loans to China are likely to have been cut by 20 percent from a year ago to 96.7 billion yen or more than US$870 million. The sum is the lowest in 14 years.  

The sum would demote China to the third largest yen loan recipient, after India and Indonesia.

Aid amounts determined in a given budget year are in fact delivered in subsequent years.

Japan decided to start cutting back Official Development Assistance to China three years ago.

(CRI.com March 12, 2004)