We are about to bid farewell to the fruitful year of 2024 and welcome the hopeful year of 2025. I wish you all a happy new year!
I have been honored to work in Ethiopia since 4 months ago, when I finished my tenure in Myanmar. Ethiopia’s long history, splendid civilization, beautiful scenery and hard-working people impress me deeply. I have witnessed great changes in Addis Ababa—known as heart of Africa—with each passing day. My exploring trip of harvest of coffee beans in Yirgacheffe and picturesque Lake Hawassa tells the glamour of this land of origin.
In 2024, Ethiopia has gained huge achievements. Its successful participation in the BRICS Summit for the first time after its joining in the BRICS family, recently signed Ankara Declaration for regional stability, and the national dialogue of reconciliation among different fractions for internal sustainable tranquility— all these show Ethiopia’s great efforts for peace and prosperity.
As Chinese Ambassador, I am more than happy to see that, thanks to the policy dividend released by the FOCAC Beijing Summit, one flight after another of Ethiopian Airlines full of Chinese tourists and investors have arrived in this prosperous land. With diligence, wisdom and resilience, Chinese people have endeavored to enrich not only their own families and factories but also Ethiopia, making new contributions to our bilateral friendly cooperation. I would like to extend my deepest reverence to those who have worked hard and strove for our common development!
2025 marks the 55th anniversary of China-Ethiopia diplomatic relations. We are committed to joining hands with all walks of life in Ethiopia and translating the great potentials of the 5 pillars advocated by the Ethiopian Federal Government, i.e. agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism and digitization, to the strong impetus for development. With more Chinese companies encouraged to play a greater role, the sun of development will definitely pour down its warmth upon more people on this promising land.
China will continue to lend support to build national peace and solidarity in Ethiopia. Both countries will firmly support each other on the multilateral occasions such as BRICS and the UN. We will constantly implement the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa. We will make joint efforts and new contributions to China-Ethiopia all-weather strategic partnership and all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
On the path towards modernization, China stands ready to be the partner of Ethiopia at all times.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 1 JANUARY 2025
