Africans In China

Q: Would you explain the bilateral relations of the two countries? A:

Well, in a new era, all the major indicators reveal an exponential growth in the relations, and the all-round cooperative partnership between China and Ethiopia is entering a new phase. Recent years has witnessed the intensified exchanges of visits. H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi, Premier of Ethiopia, paid a visit to China in 1995 and in 2004. H.E. Mr. Jiang Zemin, then President of China, and H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of China, visited Ethiopia respectively in 1996 and 2003. In late 2006, H.E. Mr. Hu Jintao, President of China, and H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi co-hosted the FOCAC Summit in Beijing. H.E. Mr. Sun Zhengcai, Chinese Minister of Agriculture visited Ethiopia in July 2007. In early 2008, H.E. Mr. Yang Jiechi, Chinese Foreign Minister paid an official visit to Ethiopia. Afterwards, H.E. Mr. Wang Guangtao, then Chinese Minister of Construction, and senior officials from the Central Committee of Chinese Communist Party toured Ethiopia consecutively. H.E. Ato Assefa Kessito, Ethiopian Minister of Justice paid a working visit to China in September 2007.

In addition, the multi-level exchanges are increased between China National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Ethiopian parliament. The Ethiopia-China friendship group has been set up in the House of People’s Representatives, headed by H.E. Ato Sofian Ahmed, Ethiopian Minister of Finance and Economic Development. This year the China-Ethiopia friendship group was also established within the China’s NPC. It offers an institutional basis for the advancement of bilateral legislative cooperation. Plus, H.E. Ato Teshome Toga, Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives, visited China in July 2008.

Further more, China and Ethiopia share similar views over a wide range of issues, such as human rights, peace and development, African issues. The two sides conduct regular exchanges of views and coordinate positions. China appreciates Ethiopia’s adherence to the One-China principle and its strong support for China’s reunification and China’s stance on Taiwan and Tibet issues. The political consultation mechanism was established between the Chinese and Ethiopian foreign ministries in 2001, by which officials at minister or Director-general levels meet and exchange views regularly.

Q: Would you brief features of China’s development aid to Ethiopia?

A: Actually, China is Ethiopia’s major trade partner. A China-Ethiopia economic and trade joint commission has been created as a facilitator for economic cooperation. Its latest meeting was held in Beijing last year. According to China Customs, the two-way trade volume reached US$ 860 million in 2007. From Jan. to June 2008, the figure was US$ 638 million, up 59.7%. China’s exports to Ethiopia are primarily food, clothing, pharmaceuticals, machineries, electronics, etc. Ethiopia’s major exports to China include sesame, coffee, leather products. Another feature, development assistance, it has a tradition in China’s policy towards Ethiopia. The Wereta-Woldeya road was among the first projects constructed with Chinese assistance, which was significant in linking up the two remote parts of Ethiopia. As some other examples, the irrigation project on the Hare River was built by China in 1996, which helped irrigate some 1000 hectares of land in Ethiopia.

The Addis Ababa ring road was built partly on China’s assistance. At present, China has pledged 100 million birr to build the Gotera Flyover in Addis Ababa, 54% of whose construction had been completed by May 2008. In addition, it is China’s long-term policy to encourage the competent and creditworthy enterprises to invest in Ethiopia. It can be recalled that only 14 Chinese companies had invested US $ 10 million by the end of 2003. However, there is a notable rise afterwards due to the improving investment environment in Ethiopia and the policy incentives on the Chinese part.

According to the Ethiopia Investment Administration, China-funded enterprises had invested US $ 960 million in Ethiopia by July 2008. China’s investment is diversified into many sectors, such as construction, telecom, textile, healthcare and agriculture. It brings to Ethiopia much-needed capital, know-how and management experience. It also plays a notable part in increasing local employment. According to the Ethiopian Investment Administration, by July 2008, 42,000 Ethiopians had been employed on a permanent basis by Chinese enterprises in Ethiopia, some 49000 temporarily.

Agricultural cooperation also takes a special place in bilateral relations. As a typical multilateral project, the Chinese Agricultural Ministry, the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations had conducted tripartite cooperation. Within the tripartite framework, China had sent 8 groups of 32 agricultural experts to Ethiopia from 1998 to 2006. These experts were actively dedicated to spreading agricultural techniques and enhancing Ethiopia’s agricultural productivity. Besides, China and Ethiopia also have cooperation in agricultural TVET education. From 2001 to 2008, China has sent 8 groups of 280 professionals to Ethiopia under this program.

Moreover, an agreement was singed in May 2008 to build an agricultural technology demonstration center in Ethiopia. And China offered animal Health Laboratory Equipments to Ethiopia in June 2008. China will send two senior experts on agricultural technologies to Ethiopia.

Q: How do you evaluate technical cooperation of the two countries? A:

As it is known, The Exim Bank of China provides US$ 500 million master loan to Ethiopia. So far, loan agreements have been signed for eleven projects. Before the end of 2008, the same agreements are expected to be signed for another two large-scale projects of over US$ 100 million, namely Mugher Cement works and Fan Hydropower Station. Besides, there is major project cooperation, first of all, the construction of Tekeze hydropower station is China’s biggest ever contracting project. Built by Sino hydro company, Gezhouba Group and some Ethiopian companies, the station is expected to generate power from this September.

Secondly, ZTE, China’s telecom giant, is to put US$ 1.5 billion into upgrading Ethiopia’s telecom system from 2006 to 2009. Ethiopian residents are likely to enjoy more reliable telecom service in the years to come. In a very significant development, two Chinese investing giants; Jiangsu Qiyuan Group and Yonggang Group, have initiated the project of “Eastern Industrial Park” in the Oromia Regional State. Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ethiopian government in March 2008, they have embarked on substantive construction. The Chinese companies will pump millions of dollars into the project, laying down sound infrastructure for this special economic zone. It is believed that the industrial park will not only help Ethiopia to attract more FDIs, also serve as a platform for Ethiopia to draw on China’s experience in economic development.

The Implementation Program for the Cultural Cooperation (2007—2009), signed by China and Ethiopia, which set a good framework for cultural interactions. As some recent cultural exchanges, China Qingdao Folk Art Troupe and Gansu Arts Troupe respectively performed in Ethiopia in July 2007 and March 2008, to boost Ethiopia’s Millennium celebration. In May 2008, H.E. Ato Mahamude Gaas, State Minister of Culture and Tourism attended China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair. The Ethiopian National Theater Arts Troupe also toured China Xinjiang in June 2008 for the International Folk Dance Festival.

Over decades, Ethiopia has been a receiver of Chinese medical teams. In education sector, China has helped build the biggest TVET College in Ethiopia, which is to be open this September. Later on, the two sides will take the teaching cooperation in the College. China’s government scholarship program has been expanded after the Beijing Summit. This September 46 Ethiopian students will go to China in their academic pursuit, pushing the total number of Ethiopians studying in China under the scholarship program to 118. In short, we have still good technical cooperation between Ethiopia and china.

Q: Would you explain the FOCAC framework?

A: The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is launched in 2000; it is a mechanism for collective dialogue and multilateral cooperation between China and Africa. To the host of the 2^nd Ministerial Conference of FOCAC in 2003 and co-host to the Beijing Summit, Ethiopia has made unique contributions to the Forum. At the Beijing Summit, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced eight policy measures to further cooperation with the African countries. Ethiopia will be the only African country to benefit from all these eight measures.

The first measure is the Zero-tariff treatment to Ethiopia: It has started from 2005. In that very year, Ethiopia’s export to China soared from the 2004 US$ 14 million to 85 million, registering an increase of 500%. The year of 2007 saw further expansion of the preferential treatment from the original 192 export items to 442. In June 2001, China extended debt cancellation to Ethiopia. In 2007, China wrote off Ethiopia’s interest-free government debts, maturing by the end of 2005. As one of eight policy measures, China has pledged to set up the fund in order to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa. Among the first batch of projects sponsored by the Fund, the Ethiopia-CGC glass works is built in Addis Ababa. The Fund is also working with other Chinese companies to explore cooperation projects.

As part of bilateral education cooperation, China has decided to build three rural schools in Ethiopia. Now, the school locations are designated, and their construction will begin soon. To implement the policy measures set by the Beijing Summit, the first batch of anti-malaria medicine was handed over to Ethiopia in May 2008, and the second batch is under preparation. China has also planned to build a malaria treatment center in Ethiopia. So far, the exchange of letters has been done and Chinese contractor will soon start the center construction. China is also helping build a hospital in Akaki, Addis Ababa. Its Design Contract was signed in July 2008. The hospital is expected to be open in two years’ time.

More over, Ethiopia is the first African nation to which China sends young volunteers. The first group consisted of 12 members. The second group of 50 members was the largest volunteer team ever sent abroad by China. Now the third group is forthcoming. In 2004, China granted Ethiopia the Approved Destination Status for Chinese tourists. And China is helping build the AU conference center in Addis Ababa, whose designing is completed and whose construction is starting late this year. In the sector of human resource cooperation, China helped train 269 Ethiopian professionals in 2007, another 79 in the first half of 2008.

Q: How do you assess the mutual support and close coordination of the two countries?

A: Basically, China and Ethiopia, both respect the development path independently embarked upon by each other. China’s development assistance to Ethiopia is genuine, selfless and transparent. China never imposes its will on Ethiopia by way of its assistance. The economic cooperation is based on complementarily of two economies and aimed at a win-win result. It is part of South-South cooperation. For instance, China’s exports bring tangible interests to Ethiopia as benefiting ordinary Ethiopians and buttressing Ethiopia’s initiative to rein in inflation. China’s capital goods are compatible with Ethiopian specifications and inductive to growth of Ethiopia’s national industry. China offers a growing market for Ethiopia by importing goods from it. Mutual support is the driving force behind China-Ethiopia cooperation. The two sides are bent upon strengthening cooperation in UN and other multilateral arenas by supporting each other’s just demand and reasonable propositions. China and Ethiopia underline the importance of learning from and drawing upon each other’s experience. Recent years see many visits exchanged for the purposes of experience sharing in judicial, educational, agricultural, anti-corruption and other sectors.

Q: How does China view the remarkable economic growth of Ethiopia?

A: Ethiopia is a country with a history of several thousand years, a land of wonders and surprise, home to cultured and friendly people who are descended from some of the oldest civilizations. The new Millennium celebration is a typical embodiment of Ethiopia’s unique culture. I would take this occasion to express my congratulations to the Ethiopian Government and people for its notable economic and social progress. In recent years, Ethiopia has achieved a domestic production growth of around 10%. It has done a good job in increasing productivity, improving infrastructure, attracting FDIs, reducing poverty and promoting exports. As evidenced by statistics in the fiscal year 2006/2007, Ethiopia’s manufacture industry grew at 12.5%, and revenue from exports was over US$ 1.2 billion, up 17.2% on a yearly basis. Ethiopia has been recognized as one of African countries which are most likely to reach the MDGs in 2015. It is a clear testament that Ethiopia is a hardworking nation with pioneering spirits and great prospects.

As a founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Ethiopia had struggled prominently in modern history to realize the OAU objectives and helped the African countries under colonialism to gain independence. Now, as the seat of the African Union (AU), Ethiopia makes unique contributions to the AU politically, economically and even logistically.

Ethiopia is committed to peace in the Horn of Africa and the African continent. It is one of world’s top ten contributors and Africa’s second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions. Now, Ethiopia is playing an active role in the UN/AU Hybrid Operation in Sudan Darfur. Although Ethiopia is still confronted with challenges, such as curbing inflation and ensuring food security, I firmly believe the Ethiopian Government and people could overcome them and attain prosperity in the new Millennium.

Q: What would the Beijing Olympic Games uniquely give meaning to both countries’ relations?

A: Ethiopia also enjoys a prominent position in the Olympic movement; Ethiopia actively participates in the Beijing Olympics and builds a strong Olympic team of 30 athletes. I believe Ethiopia will have more chance of winning medals this year. The Beijing Olympic is a chance to advance Olympic spirits of solidarity, friendship and peace. It bridges peoples with different nationalities, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds.

Athletes from Ethiopia, China and other countries can share experience, achieve glories and feel more close to each other. The Beijing Olympic is a chance to advance Olympic spirits of solidarity, friendship and peace. It bridges peoples with different nationalities, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. Athletes from Ethiopia, China and other countries can share experience, achieve glories and feel more close to each other. Ethiopia is a strong supporter for the Beijing Olympics. It echoes China’s call for opposition to politicizing the Olympics or linking it with irrelevant issues.

The Chinese Embassy works with Ethiopian Olympic Committee and other Ethiopian partners to host the 2008 Olympic Day Run & Ring Road Relay in June 2008, and also an Olympic Photo Exhibition in July. The Embassy contributes 500,000 birr to the Ethiopian Olympic team. H.E. W/ro Aster Mamo, Minister of Youth and Sport will go to Beijing to watch the Games. H.E. Ato Abdisa Yadeta, State Minister of Youth and Sport, attended the opening ceremony.

As indicated by Ato Mulualem Bassie, Secretary-General of Ethiopian Olympic Committee, Ethiopia takes the Beijing Olympics as a high time to promote Ethiopia to the world as part of its Millennium celebration. Ethiopia will take some initiatives in the Olympic Village to show its alphabets, calendar and Millennium emblems to thousands of visitors. Ethiopian people will certainly know more about China through the opening ceremony and other Olympic events. In my capacity of Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia, I would thank Ethiopia for its great support for the Beijing Olympic Game. I would also wish Ethiopian Athletes a success in Beijing.

Q: Is there any thing you want to add at last?

A: Both China and Ethiopia are cradles of human civilization and forged close ties in the struggles for national independence and national building. In this new era, we share increasing common interests. Building strong ties between China and Ethiopia will not only promote development of each side, but also help cement unity and cooperation among the developing world and contribute to establishing a just and equitable new international order. China will remain a close friend of Ethiopia.

(waltainfo)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 3:08 pm and is filed under Africa-China. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.