Historical records show that relations between Ethiopia and China date back to several centuries. But they formed modern diplomatic relations in 1971. Ever since, the two countries have established strong ties that grew up both in depth and width.
One striking feature between China and Ethiopia is the fact that both are developing countries striving to build an economy that grows rapidly to address the needs of their vast population. Be that as it may, China has so far managed to utilize its vast population as a vibrant engine for development and lift hundreds of millions of its citizens from poverty in just about two decades. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has also succeeded in developing its economy rapidly in such a way that can benefit its large number of young population. While much remains in store, Ethiopia has scored good performance in its economic development for about a decade continuously.
While China is currently Ethiopia’s largest trading partner and a key source of Foreign Direct Investment, its contribution for Ethiopia’s economic development of Ethiopia is immense. One of the most notable contributions of the Chinese in Ethiopian development efforts is related to infrastructure.
Infrastructure being a vital input for developmental endeavors of a poor country like Ethiopia, the contribution of China remains to be fundamental and monumental. As a result, one can find the fingerprints of Chinese companies in sectors like road, railway, complex buildings, hydroelectric power, and industrial parks dotted in various parts of Ethiopia.
In addition to building physical infrastructure, building human resource plays big role in socio-economic development of a country. Accordingly, China has been providing tens of thousands of scholarship opportunities for Ethiopian students. It provides opportunities in various fields especially in engineering, which is highly demanded in the country for its development.
On top of trainings, China has also given assistance in opening colleges and training institutions that are helping Ethiopia meet its demand of trained personnel in technical
and vocational fields.
In terms of trade, Ethiopia is one of the best trade partners of China. China is also a very important destination for Ethiopian goods and services. For instance, China is one of the most frequent destinations for Ethiopian airlines, the national flag carrier. Ethiopian flies to several Chinese cities mostly on daily basis. This has subsequently spurred the flow of many Chinese tourists to Ethiopia to either do business or leisure in Ethiopia or transit to the numerous destination of Ethiopian especially in Africa.
The people-to-people relations of the two countries can be said to be at an encouraging level. China and Ethiopia have decades old cultural exchange program. Confucius Institute provides Chinese language and culture trainings in Addis Ababa and Mekelle Universities acquainting more Ethiopians with the language and culture of China there by raising their chances of benefitting from opportunities opened by Chinese companies both at home and abroad.
Of course, Chinese citizens represent the largest number of expatriate community in Ethiopia.
With these all backgrounds, the latest visit to China by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed on the occasion of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is likely to give momentum to the already strong and multifaceted ties between the two countries.
As has been proven by the forum and several other sideline talks, a number of economic cooperation and investment agreements have been signed between sides. Above all the two sides has made pledges to intensify their cooperation through the multi-national Belt and Road Initiative and their bilateral relations.
In the mean time, the reform measures introduced by Abiy since he took office a year ago, so as to speed up the country’s political, economic and social development, are also opening up new opportunities for the the Chinese companies and experts. Hence, the latest visit, which was made at the time reform, should likely to push furthet the ever-growing relations between the countries.
The Ethiopian Herald April 27/ 2011
