As the Ethiopian New Year approaches we can conclude that the multiple diplomatic developments vis-à-vis many countries and other actors of the international community such as the UN and its agencies have made good progress in terms of benefiting the interests of Ethiopia in its efforts to fight poverty and pull out millions to a better place in life. The Ethiopian government has been very active in implementing its foreign policy objectives throughout the year also focusing on citizen-oriented moves, protecting the rights of Ethiopian nationals abroad. The various meetings and discussions the Ethiopian government high officials including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) have conducted with various countries’ leaders and statesmen has produced positive results for the country.
In this context, it is worth noting that the relations between Ethiopia and China, one of the staunchest allies and friends of Ethiopia, a key power that has treated Ethiopia in special relations have now reached new and unprecedented heights thanks mainly to the growing and close relations between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping.
In this respect, the role of the ninth Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that was held beginning 4th September 2024 in Beijing with the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community and a Shared Value” could be cited as a major stimulant in terms of not only the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and China but also the relations between China and the entire continent as whole.
In fact, at the Forum we noted that a huge policy statement was revealed by the President of the People’s Republic of China regarding the immediate and long-term effects of China in its relations with Africa. The relations between Ethiopia and China have been catching momentum for years now and more so now after the holding of the FOCAC.
In this regard, the Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa had said that the ninth Forum for China-Africa Cooperation was evidence of this close cooperation between the two countries.
The diplomat had said that it would result in shaping the future direction of the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and China. The Forum was also the moment and place where new significant plans for China for its relations with Ethiopia in particular and Africa, in general, were revealed and announced in official terms by President Xi during his keynote address at the opening of the forum.
Undoubtedly, the relations between China and Ethiopia have been continuously growing from time to time reaching now the highest possible level between the two countries. It has been described as All-Weather Strategic Relations. The cooperation between Ethiopia and China has also been spanning over a host of sectors such as investment, agriculture, manufacturing industry, tourism, telecommunication and paper and pulp industry.
At the sidelines of the FOCAC, President Xi and Prime Minister Abiy met and sat down to discuss matters of mutual interest for both countries as well as other continental issues. On the occasion, the premier said Ethiopia prioritizes FOCAC as a force multiplier for the advancement of Africa’s modernization efforts strengthening Africa-China conceptual and policy alignment. He talked about the elevation of Africa’s position in world affairs and increased Africa-China coordination for reformed and representative global governance institutions. The premier also expressed Ethiopia’s readiness for the speedy implementation of China’s three proposals for Africa’s industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development initiated in August 2023 within the framework of FOCAC.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Abiy applauded China’s consistency in maintaining its policy of standing by the side of Ethiopia demonstrating equality, mutual respect and benefit. President Xi Jinping on his part remarked that Ethio-China relations are exemplary of friendly cooperation between China and Africa adding that for a long time, the two countries have supported each other in safeguarding their respective core interests and forging an unbreakable iron-clad partnership.
The president reassured of China’s readiness to expand pragmatic cooperation between the two countries and support Ethiopia in leveraging its strength as a regional transport hub to establish a rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa and build a demonstration area for quality Belt and Road Cooperation between China and Africa.
President Xi Jinping added that China is willing to enhance communication and collaboration with Ethiopia at the regional level as well as within the framework of the United Nations and BRICS to jointly uphold international fairness and justice. The bilateral discussion of the two countries’ top leadership emphasized synergizing and enhancing joint efforts to yield more results within the spirit of the All-Weather Strategic Partnership that was established between the two countries.
The fact that the two leaders met for the third time since August 2023 reflects the deepening partnership based on mutual benefit and respect. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation, particularly in investment, green growth, digitalization and new energy.
Talking about the participation of Ethiopia at the FOCAC, the Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa said it has played a pivotal role in further elevating the bilateral relationship between Ethiopia and China. The meeting between the leaders of the two countries would contribute to making the two countries closer and more decisive especially for Ethiopia because it is trying to overcome all the development challenges it is facing today not least economically and China’s contribution to it is substantial and could be decisive. There is the understanding that this collaboration could lead to even more active participation of China in Ethiopia’s development ventures.
There are lots of things that Ethiopia can learn from how China managed to be a world power from what was considered by many as an underdeveloped country with more than a billion people to take care of some decades ago. Today China is considered one of the fastest-growing economic powerhouses that has shown how it is a huge influence on the international scene capable of determining which way the economy of the world could be directed.
Definitely, its role in the growth and development of the African continent can easily be depicted by looking at what pace the investment and economic relations with the African continent have been growing. The various projects in which the Chinese government and multiple Chinese companies are taking place, especially in the infrastructure expansion are evident for everyone to see. If we take only the Belt and Road Project that shows how ambitious the Chinese leadership is in terms of exerting influence in the world and in particular in Africa. This project has also benefited countries such as Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his high-level governmental delegation have been to the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation and during the meeting he held with President Xi Jinping expressed his appreciation for China’s continued and multifaceted support for Ethiopia’s social and economic development. Besides that, the premier also had fruitful discussions with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang where they explored concrete ways to deepen the partnership between Ethiopia and China.
Premier Abiy also presided over the signing of 17 memoranda of understanding between the two countries in multiple sectors. Abiy underscored that the signing of the MoUs is a significant testament to the All-Weather Strategic Cooperation partnership between Ethiopia and China. On the same occasion, the premier expressed his desire to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two countries, particularly in modernizing practices to enhance productivity. The two leaders also explored support for Ethiopia’s industrialization and digitalization efforts as well.
BY FITSUM GETACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2024
