Remarks at the Seminar on the Significance of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway for the Horn of Africa by Ambassador Zhao Zhiyuan
2022-02-22 14:57

Excellency Minister Dagmawit,

Excellency State Minister Semereta,

Representatives from business communities,

Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

Good afternoon.

Thank you all for coming. It gives me great pleasure to attend today’s Seminar on the Significance of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway for the Horn of Africa, which is a timely and relevant theme. With the successful conclusion of the 8th Ministerial Conference of FOCAC in Senegal at the end of last year, China-Africa cooperation has entered into a new stage. Now it is a right time for us to take stock of the past and look into the future.

To start with, I would like to express appreciation to Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ministry of Finance and the EDR, who have been working closely with the Embassy of China and Chinese companies under the High-level Coordination Meeting mechanism to solve problems and challenges faced by the railway, and create a sound environment for the railway’s development. Thanks to joint efforts of all relevant parities,  the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, as a flagship project of China-Ethiopia cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, has made important strides in all aspects since starting operation more than 4 years ago. And the Railway is playing an important role in the development of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

The railway has been a way of peace, bringing together different regions, ethnic groups and countries. People from Oromia, Afar, and Somali Regions as well as from Djibouti and China work together hand in hand to protect the railway and ensure its smooth operation.

It has been a way of development, driving economic growth and industrialization, and serving as a lifeline of transportation for essential goods such as fertilizers, grain, cement, steel and anti-pandemic materials. Industrial parks along the line, such as Bole Lemi Industrial Park, Eastern Industrial Park and Adama Industrial Park have been making major contributions to local employment and revenue. And more are still in the pipeline, such as Dire Dawa Industrial Park, which will, once completed become the biggest Industrial Park in the country.

It has also been a way of hope. With joint efforts, the railway has enjoyed momentous growth since it commenced operation four years ago, with a staggering 40 percent average annual increase in income. This trend is set to continue, as the services of the railway keep expanding. For instance, a logistics company is planned to be established to offer door to door shipment service in combination with the railway. And once oil depot dedicated lines in both Ethiopia and Djibouti are built, oil will be a stable source of cargo for the railway. Therefore, we have every reason to believe that the future of the railway is full of hope.

President Xi Jinping, when speaking of China-Africa relations at the opening ceremony of the 8th FOCAC Ministerial Conference, indicated that the everlasting spirit of China-Africa cooperation features sincere friendship and equality, win-win for mutual benefits and common development, fairness and justice, and progress with the times and openness and inclusiveness. Indeed, regardless of the changing times, common development and mutual benefits are always the overarching principles of China-Africa cooperation.

The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. There are so many challenges that divide us. However, peace and development remain the main theme of the times. And there is one common goal that should unite us all, that is to pursue peaceful development in the post-pandemic era. China believes that development is the foundation and key to solving all problems. Facts speak louder than words. In the past more than 40 years, China has enjoyed phenomenal economic and social development and eliminated extreme poverty in a country with 1.4 billion people. One of the most important propellers of such growth is the rapid development of railway system. Railway has always been essential infrastructure for a country’s development. Up to now, China has built the world's largest and most modern High-Speed Rail network. At the end of 2020, China had 37,900 km of operational High-Speed Rail, accounting for 69% of the world's total.

It is based on such experience and belief on development that China put forward the Global Development Initiative, and the Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa. The Horn of Africa enjoys a unique strategic position and great development potential. However, in recent years, hot-spot issues have intensified and sometimes erupted into conflicts and confrontations, which are totally against the interests of people of the countries in the Horn of Africa and should not continue any longer. The Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa was put forward by China to support regional countries in addressing the triple challenges of security, development and governance and support the region in realizing lasting stability, peace and prosperity. We call for all countries in the region to work together to strive for common development in peaceful coexistence. Right now, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, Ethiopia, like other countries, is faced with both challenges and opportunities. As a true friend, instead of preaching and finger-pointing, China has been and will continue to be standing side by side and working together with Ethiopia to capitalize on the opportunities and tackle the difficulties in the pursuit of mutually beneficial cooperation. The Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway is a symbol of such cooperation.

More than anything else, this railway is a way to prosperity. By driving the development of the economic belt along the line, the railway has made important contributions to speeding up industrialization, increasing local employment and revenue, improving independent development capacity and promoting sustainable regional development and integration. And it has also strengthened trade and economic cooperation between Ethiopia and China. In 2021, compared with previous year, Ethiopia's exports to China increased by 8%; new FDI from Chinese companies to Ethiopia grew by 346%; the value of newly signed contract projects by Chinese companies in Ethiopia were up 25%. 

I am very glad to learn that today, the commuter train will start operation. It is another vivid example of how the railway is contributing to the local community. I am confident that, with joint efforts and support from all sides, the railway will play a more important role in future economic and social development in Ethiopia, and in the Horn of Africa at large. It will set a good example for the implementation of the Global Development Initiative and the Initiative of Peaceful Development in the Horn of Africa, and serve as a stabilizer in the region. Therefore, we appeal to all relevant parties to continue work together to ensure its security and promote its development. China has always done its best to support the development of the railway and will continue to do so.

At today’s seminar, I look forward to listening to ideas from the businesses, academic circles and governments of both China and Ethiopia, and together draw a blueprint for the future development of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

Today, I would also like to take this opportunity to share with you some good news. First, to boost security of the railway, the Chinese government will donate 5 cars to the Federal Police Commission for railway security purposes. Second, to support the safe and sustainable operation of the railway, the Chinese government will donate a batch of urgently needed spare parts, locomotives and auxiliary components. Lastly, to help Ethiopia effectively fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese government will donate 20 million doses of vaccines to Ethiopia this year. We look forward to stepping up cooperation with Ethiopia in achieving post-pandemic recovery and growth.

Last but not least, I wish the railway a brighter future, Ethiopia greater prosperity, and China and Ethiopia an everlasting friendship!

Thank you.