On May 9, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Chen Hai accepted an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian National Broadcasting Corporation, clarifying China's position on the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ethiopia, the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and opposition to the United States' abuse of tariffs.
Ambassador Chen spoke highly of China-Ethiopia relations, saying that China will focus on implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, aligning the "Ten Partnership Actions" proposed by President Xi Jinping for China and Africa to jointly promote modernization with Ethiopia's development plan, helping Ethiopia to make greater progress in industrialization, agricultural modernization, talent training and other areas, and promoting the deepening and implementation of the China-Ethiopia all-weather strategic partnership with high-quality practical cooperation in jointly building the "Belt and Road".
Ambassador Chen said that China and Ethiopia are continuing to consolidate political mutual trust and cooperation and strengthen cooperation on the international multilateral stage. China implements zero tariff treatment for 100% of Ethiopia's tariff items, deepens cooperation in traditional fields such as infrastructure, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, as well as emerging industries such as electric vehicles and e-commerce, and actively explores cooperation in the development of important projects such as clean energy and the new airport in Addis. The two sides will soon hold the "Audio-visual China·Enter Ethiopia" event in Addis, and will promote the construction of the Chinese Cultural Center in Ethiopia, deepen cultural exchanges through platforms such as Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops, and enhance the heart-to-heart communication between the two peoples. On the road to modernization, China has always been Ethiopia's companion.
In response to questions about how China and Ethiopia can better work together to maintain a fair and reasonable international order, Ambassador Chen pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and both China and Ethiopia have made major historical contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. Ethiopia's victory over the fascist invaders in 1941 was not only a victory for the Ethiopian people, but also a victory for the people fighting for freedom in Africa and even the world. Faced with the ever-changing international situation, China and Ethiopia should jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world, strengthen close cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the BRICS, sing the strong voice of the times for unity and self-reliance in the Global South, and continue to move towards the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Ambassador Chen also clarified China's position on opposing the abuse of tariffs by the United States. Ambassador Chen pointed out that since the new U.S. government took office, it has adopted a series of unilateral tariff measures that are illegal and unreasonable, severely impacting China-U.S. economic and trade relations, disrupting the international economic and trade order, and posing severe challenges to global economic recovery and growth. China has taken resolute and forceful countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
China’s position has been consistent: whether through confrontation or negotiation, China’s determination to safeguard its development interests will not change, nor will its stance and goals of upholding international fairness and justice and maintaining the international economic and trade order. We will fight resolutely if provoked, and our door remains open for negotiation. Any dialogue and negotiation must be carried out on the premise of mutual respect, equal consultation, and mutual benefit.
China is willing to work with all parties including Ethiopia to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination, jointly resist unilateral protectionism and hegemonic bullying, safeguard free trade and multilateralism, and promote the building of an inclusive economic globalization.