China’s DG for African Affairs confirms strengthening dev’t cooperation with Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, September 13, 2024 (FBC) – The Director-General for the Department of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Du Xiaohui, affirmed that his country is committed to strengthen its development cooperation with Ethiopia.
In his recent media briefing, Ambassador Du Xiaohui, mentioned that the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has provided opportunities to increase cooperation in key spheres.
Du Xiaohui recalled that China announced partnerships in ten areas of cooperation with Africa at FOCAC Summit 2024, including trade, industrial cooperation, health, agriculture, connectivity, green development, and security. According to Du Xiaohui, these initiatives will allow Ethiopia to benefit from this cooperation framework.
He further recalled the various agreements entered between Ethiopia and China in this framework and said that China will continue backing Ethiopia’s 10-year development plan.
The Director-General also mentioned that the Joint Declaration for Tripartite Cooperation on the Establishment of Center of Excellence in Addis Ababa signed last July between Ethiopia, China and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is being implemented effectively with the subsequent inauguration of the center in the Ethiopian capital.
The China-Africa-UNIDO Centre of Excellence is said to be a pioneering tripartite initiative which aims to promote sustainable industrialization, agricultural modernization, and skills development across Africa.
Stating that the initiative is the first tripartite flagship program of its kind, between Ethiopia, CIDCA and the UN agency, Ambassador Du underscored that it is a demonstration of lasting friendship between the two countries.
Pursuant to the agreement, emphasis will be placed on agriculture, human resources training, the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the African Union Agenda 2063 and Ethiopia’s development initiatives, the Director-General added.