Excellency, Ato Girma W/Giorgis
President of FDRE,
Excellencies,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great honour that I am delivering this statement marking the 40th anniversary for the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Ethiopia and People’s Republic of China. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for His Excellency, the President, who availed himself, at this time. Indeed his presence and that of high government officials and Ambassadors manifest the significance attributed to the deep rooted relation existing between the two friendly countries.
Forty years have elapsed since the two countries started their ties in Nov, 24/1970. Although it seems very short span of time compared with over a century long relation Ethiopia enjoyed with some countries, the relation with China is so diverse and all round that the impact has been to the mutual satisfaction to both sides.
With regard to the bilateral relation, during the last few years, mention could be made to the many important exchange of visits among high government officials and legislators of the two countries and the signing of various agreements contributing to the consolidation of the ties.
Trade relation has shown a steady growth over the last few years following the decision taken by the Chinese Government quota and tariff free rights to African countries in which Ethiopia is also the beneficiary.
Similarly, Chinese investment in Ethiopia both in terms of volume and diversity is very encouraging that they succeeded to generating substantial job opportunities as well as the transfer of technological know hows.
Excellency,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As a true and reliable friend, People’s Republic of China is playing a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s effort to mitigate poverty and over all economic development by providing loans and grants for various projects in the areas of infrastructure including roads, hydropower, telecommunication and others. What China is doing in this respect, indeed would allow Ethiopia achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
On the multilateral side, the establishment of China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC) in 2000, and its subsequent meetings created a crucial platform for dialogue and mechanism for practical cooperation between People’s Republic of China and Africa.
Ethiopia has embarked on an economic development emanating from its democratic developmental policies, but with the close cooperation and assistance obtained from a number of friendly countries, including China. What makes the relation between Ethiopia and People’s Republic of China quite special is that the cooperation is geared by adhering to the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in the internal affairs of each other’s countries and peaceful coexistence. And of course one other important key element when China deals in its cooperation with Ethiopia in particular and Africa in general is the non-existence of conditionality and commitment to a win-win mutual benefit. This explains the reason for the success of the relation between People’s Republic of China and Ethiopia.
Excellency,
Dear Colleagues,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, we are here this evening to wind up a week long celebration marking the establishment of diplomatic relation between the two countries 40 years back. The commemoration included variety of activities reflecting the significance. The past forty years of fruitful engagement helped us to build the relation on a firm ground and paves the way for a more meaningful cooperation for the coming many years to come.
I would like to assure our Chinese friend that Ethiopia never forgets your generosity and good will to assist and this always remains at heart.
I thank you.