BY ZEKARIAS WOLDEMARIAM
The year 2020 has ended leaving many unforgettable historical moments especially in the relations of Ethiopia and China. While enjoying centuries old historical and trade ties, Ethiopia and China have celebrated 50th anniversary of their modern and formal diplomatic relations.
Adding momentum to the strong economic, trade and business ties the two countries built throughout the decades, Ethiopia and China have also demonstrated successful model of collaboration in fighting a global public health through, COVID-19.
In an interview with The Ethiopian Herald Recently, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Zhao Zhiyuan has briefly elaborated the salient events in the China and Ethiopia overall collaboration, Chinese endeavor in boosting its ties with Africa as well as upcoming endeavors in the relations between China-Ethiopia and China Africa. Excerpts:
Thank you very much for your cooperation, wishing you a happy new year for the embassy staff, I would like to start with your message of best wishes for our readers.
2020 is a rocking and extraordinary year, not only for Ethiopia, but also for China and the whole world. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to the readers of The Ethiopian Herald a Happy New Year, with expectation that the gloomy cloud of COVID-19 would clear up in 2021 and the life will be back to normal soon.
COVID-19 is a global pandemic. Please give us a short introduction about China-Africa cooperation on fighting against COVID-19 in 2020. What is more, how will China-Africa Cooperation outshine in the prevention of the pandemic?
China is the biggest developing country, and Africa is home to the largest number of developing countries. With our shared identity as part of the developing world, China and Africa have the responsibility of advancing our common interests.
China and Africa have always shared weal and woe. This friendship emerged still stronger from the test of COVID-19 in 2020. President Xi Jinping and African leaders had a successful Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, and the fine tradition of mutual assistance was further strengthened.
In spite of domestic pressure of virus containment, China has provided a lot of urgently needed medical supplies to the African Union and African countries through various channels. We held six health experts’ meetings with the African side via video conference to share our experience, sent medical professionals to 15 African countries, and 46 Chinese medical teams in Africa helped the local communities combat the epidemics.
The medical supplies sent by the Chinese government through the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) have been smoothly delivered to 53 African countries for women, children and the youth to fight COVID-19. China also pledged to provide Chinese vaccines to African and other developing countries on a priority basis when they become available for deployment.
The Africa CDC headquarters as an assistance project by China has just had its groundbreaking ceremony. It will stand as a historic witness of China-Africa solidarity in fighting the pandemic.
China and Africa have scaled up the implementation of follow-ups to the FOCAC Beijing Summit, with the health care initiative as a top priority. China has signed debt service suspension agreements with 12 African countries and provided waivers of matured interest-free loan for 15 African countries. China has suspended more debt service than any other G20 member.
I would like to stress that China and Africa share deep, unbreakable friendship. Faced with whatever risks or challenges, China will join hands with our African brothers to forge ahead, foster a China-Africa community with a shared future, and hold high the banner of China-Africa friendship.
Please briefly review the highlights of China-Ethiopia relations in 2020?
The year 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Ethiopia. The two sides held a series of activities, among which Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work exchanged congratulatory messages and made positive remarks on the fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation in all areas under the China-Ethiopia Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in recent years.
The year 2020 witnessed solidarity in combating the epidemic for China and Ethiopia. The Chinese government sent an anti-epidemic expert team to Ethiopia, which was the first of its kind to Africa, showcasing the special relations between China and Ethiopia.
Besides, the Chinese central government, local governments, enterprises and civil organizations have donated anti-epidemic materials to Ethiopia, which fully demonstrated the multi-level China-Ethiopia cooperation.
The year 2020 was also a year for deeper cooperation between China and Ethiopia under the “Belt And Road” Initiative. Although affected by the epidemic, Addis-Djibouti Railway got better performances.
The space cooperation is showing steady progress, with the second satellite launched to space with the help of China. According to incomplete statistics, Chinese companies in Ethiopia have created about one million local jobs, which fully demonstrate the social benefits of China-Ethiopia “Belt And Road” cooperation.
China and Africa are reinforcing their all rounded partnership. What would be the role of their anti COVID-19 prevention partnership in maintaining the overall ties? And what is your take on the China-Ethiopia and China-Africa relations?
COVID-19 is still affecting many parts of the world in 2021. Both China and Ethiopia and other African countries face the formidable task of combating the virus while stabilizing the economy and protecting people’s livelihoods. Thus China is ready to strengthen cooperation and coordination with Ethiopia and other African countries.
First, in the face of COVID-19, solidarity and cooperation is our most powerful weapon. China will work with Africa including Ethiopia to uphold the UN-centered global governance system and support WHO in making greater contribution to the global COVID-19 response.
We oppose politicization and stigmatization of COVID-19, and we oppose racial discrimination and ideological bias. We stand firm for equity and justice in the world.
Second, China’s leading role on work resumption will also help Ethiopia’s economic recovery. China is ready to work with Africa including Ethiopia to continue to implement the outcomes of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19.
To cushion the impact of COVID-19, it is important to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation and accelerate the follow-ups to the FOCAC Beijing Summit. Greater priority needs to be given to cooperation on public health, economic reopening, and peoples’ livelihood.
Third, to help Africa achieve sustainable development is what matters in the long run. China supports Africa in its effort to develop the African Continental Free Trade Area and to enhance connectivity and strengthen industrial and supply chains.
China will explore broader cooperation with Africa in such new business forms as digital economy, smart city, clean energy, and 5G to boost Africa’s development and revitalization. This year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
With the launch of China’s new development pattern and the beginning of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, China-Ethiopia and China-Africa cooperation will surely unleash greater vitality.
In 2021, China and Africa will have a new session of FOCAC in Senegal. Twenty years ago, the inception of FOCAC ushered in a new era of political mutual trust and all-round cooperation between China and Africa. Twenty years on, FOCAC has become a new model of friendship, cooperation and common development among developing countries.
Together, we have drafted and implemented the 10 cooperation plans and the eight major initiatives. With China’s help, over 6,000 kilometers of railways, 6,000 kilometers of roads, nearly 20 ports and over 80 large power plants have been built in Africa. China-Africa trade volume has grown by 20-fold and China’s direct investment in Africa 100-fold.
China is ready to work with Ethiopia to take the opportunity of the new session of the FOCAC to break new ground for cooperation, and deliver new benefits to the people.
I believe we will stay good brothers supporting each other, good partners pursuing common development, and good comrades-in-arms standing together through thick and thin, to make new progress in building the China-Africa community with a shared future.
I am confident that together with our efforts, China-Ethiopia Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership will surely develop at a high level. I am full of confidence.
The Ethiopian Herald February 16/2021
