
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia and China are strengthening their strategic partnership through expanded cultural, educational, and vocational collaborations, officials said during the 2025 International Chinese Language Day celebration held in Addis Ababa.
Speaking at the event, FDRE Technical and Vocational Training Institute (TVTI) Director General Biruk Kedir (PhD) emphasized that cultural diplomacy and skills development will play a key role in advancing bilateral relations.
“With more Ethiopians learning Chinese and acquiring technical skills through platforms like the Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshop, we are not only building professional capacity but also deepening people-to-people ties,” he said.
Biruk lauded the contributions of these Chinese institutions in enhancing Ethiopia’s education and industrial sectors. He noted that the growing number of Ethiopians engaging in Chinese language learning and vocational training has laid a strong foundation for broader cooperation in development.
Chinese Embassy Cultural Counselor Zhang Yawei also underscored the significance of language and culture in diplomacy. She highlighted Chinese as one of humanity’s most ancient and rich languages, reflecting the depth of a 5,000-year-old civilization.
“In Ethiopia, the Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshop have taken root with strong local support, producing a new generation of professionals who are not only fluent in Chinese but equipped with practical skills,” Zhang said. “These programs are contributing meaningfully to Ethiopia’s socioeconomic progress and fostering mutual understanding.”
She expressed hope that more Ethiopians would continue to study Chinese, further enhancing the cultural bridge between the two nations.
The event marked a reaffirmation of the commitment by both countries to invest in language and vocational training as powerful tools for sustainable development and diplomatic engagement
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 27 APRIL 2025