Infrastructure lending by the World Bank, which was its original rationale, dropped precipitously beginning in the 1970s, as its focus shifted to other forms of lending that concentrated on economic adjustment measures, good governance and social safety nets, rather than building infrastructure. However, this trend has been reversed in recent years (see figure 4.1). It is also a recognition of the central role that large infrastructure projects have played in the remarkable growth and poverty-reduction story- that has unfolded in China.