Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s Visit to Ethiopia; is another opportunity to further cement the all-weather Ethio-China Friendship
The newly appointed Foreign Minister of China, Qin Gang touched down at Bole International Airport on the 10th of January 2023 where he was warmly welcomed by Ethiopian High-Level dignitaries. The Foreign Minister made Ethiopia his First destination after being appointed China’s Foreign Minister on the 30th of December 2022.
The Chinese top diplomat met with his Ethiopian counterpart Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of FDRE H.E. Demeke Mekonnen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Headquarters where both ministers jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultation between the two Foreign Ministries. In addition to this, both Ministers have also witnessed another cooperation agreement between Ethiopia and China.
Foreign Minister Qin Gang also met with Prime Minister of the FDRE H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali (Ph.D.) where discussions were held on multitudes of high-level bilateral, regional and international issues.
Following his meeting, the new Foreign Minister, Prime Minister Abiy wrote on his Twitter “I welcome to Ethiopia, Mr. Qin Gang, and the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China. The relations between the two countries remain steadfast.” The Premier continued, “Our discussion today highlighted our shared strategic development goals and commitment to continental and global cooperation,” he added.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Qin Gang said, “With President Xi Jinping at the helm, China will press ahead with its modernization with Chinese characteristics on all fronts, unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, remain committed to the fundamental national policy of opening up to the outside world and a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, adding certainty, stability, and positive energy to a world in the midst of changes and turbulence, and bringing new opportunities for the development of all countries.”
On the other hand, following the meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen expressed his delight and gratitude to the Chinese new Foreign Minister, for making Ethiopia the first leg of his tour of the traditional Chinese Foreign Minister’s annual visits to Africa. According to Demeke, the meeting between the two sides noted that Ethiopia and China should expand their excellent and long-standing relations with further engagements. With that in mind, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding that aimed to scale up their political and economic ties. According to Demeke, the implementation of the MoUs will allow both sides to maintain the momentum of their relations while also advancing bilateral ties in various areas of cooperation.
The two sides discussed bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest. In particular, Demeke said, “I briefed H.E. Mr. Gang on the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed on November 2, 2022, between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the TPLF and the fact that the Ethiopian Government has a firm commitment to its implementation and is taking tangible measures to that effect.” In connection with that, Demke said, “The current peace situation in Ethiopia is another opportunity for the Chinese investors and business community to further continue doing their business in Ethiopia and has assured the Ethiopian Government’s candid support for them.”
Qin Gang, for his part, said, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries more than 50 years ago, no matter how the international landscape changes, the China-Ethiopia friendship has remained unbreakable and grown stronger over time.
The two foreign ministers also discussed bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest. In this regard, they discussed the implementation process of the Pretoria Peace Agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF. Demeke praised China’s consistent and principled stance in global fora in favor of Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The visit of Qin Gang was successful in demonstrating the all-weather historical relationship the two countries need to cultivate, even at a higher gear.
According to Qin Gang, the two countries should strengthen their ties in development cooperation, meet global challenges together, and jointly defend international justice. He stated that for the past 33 years, Chinese Foreign Ministers have visited Africa, reflecting China’s determination to strengthen ties with Africa.
Prime Minister Abiy Confers with French, German FMs
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received at the Office of the Prime Minister on the 12th of January 2023 Ms. Catherine Collonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic and Ms. Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Abiy shared the progress of wide-ranging reforms that Ethiopia has been undertaking over the past four years as well as the key outcomes and related challenges.
Ethiopia’s relations with France and Germany span several decades. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appreciated the unwavering support of both countries over the past four years, while the two Ministers affirmed the continued cooperation and assistance in sustaining the reforms.
“Today I have met with Catherine Collonna, France’s Minister for Europe & Foreign Affairs and Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs. Our in-depth and fruitful discussions are reflective of the strong relations Ethiopia holds with both France and Germany,” said the Prime Minister after his discussion with the two European diplomats.
Ambassador Misganu Arega Appointed the State Miniter of Foreign Affairs
Prime Minister of FDRE H.E. Abiy Ahmed appointed the veteran Diplomat Misganu Arega as the new State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as of 10 January, 2023.
Prior to his appointment as State Minister, Ambassador Misganu Arega served as Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, State Minister for Labor and Social Affairs, State Minister of the Ministry of Trade & Industry and CEO of Ethio Engineering group.
The 8th China African Union Strategic Dialogue Held in Addis Ababa
During his stay in Addis Ababa, Foreign Minister Qin Gang held the 8th China-AU Strategic Dialogue with Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat at the headquarters of the African Union (AU).
Faki appreciated China for standing with Africa in its struggle for national independence and liberation and for its efforts to accelerate development and revitalization and participate more in international affairs. He said, “Africa values China’s strong support for African integration, connectivity, and the development of a free trade area and looks forward to working with China to jointly advance the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.”
Qin Gang, for his part, said, “China has always prioritized Africa in its diplomacy, and inheriting and carrying forward the China-Africa friendship has become a glorious tradition and defining feature of China’s diplomacy.”
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Qin Gang said, “China has taken the lead in supporting the AU’s admission to the G20, and supporting African countries’ greater representation and voice at the UN Security Council and other international organizations to safeguard the common interests of developing countries.”
Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa-CDC) Inaugurated
The headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) was inaugurated in the presence of the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and other African Union and Ethiopian Government officials. Upon completion, it will be the first pan-African Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the African continent fully equipped with modern administrative, experimental, and other supporting facilities. The multi-building facility is constructed by Chinese construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The Africa CDC headquarters, a flagship project of China-Africa cooperation, was announced by President Xi Jinping at the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2018. Delivering remarks, Qin Gang said, “With the joint efforts of our two sides, the Africa CDC will make a greater contribution to public health in Africa and the health and wellbeing of the African people. It will also write a new, splendid chapter in the history of China-Africa relations.”
The top diplomat mentioned landmark projects like the AU Conference Center, the Africa CDC headquarters, the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, and other joint projects for highways, electricity, communications, and ports that span across Africa. “Such cooperation has helped enhance Africa’s capacity for independent and sustainable development,” he said.
Qin Gang emphasized the imperatives of upgrading and elevating China Africa cooperation. Referring to the Africa-CDC Headquarters, Qin Gang, said, “It stands as irrefutable proof to the world that China always supports Africa with concrete actions and that the China-Africa relationship is bound to have a brighter future.”
President Sahle-Work Welcomes Newly Assigned Ambassadors of 7 Countries
The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, received the letter of credentials of the ambassadors of seven countries.
Ambassadors of Romania, Algeria, Czech Republic, Guinea, Zimbabwe, Guinea-Bissau and England presented their letters of credentials to President Sahle Work Zewde.
President Sahle-Work Zewde also held discussion with the newly assigned ambassadors on ways to strengthen bilateral relations with each country.
