http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zwjg_665342/zwbd_665378/t1362453.shtml
Remarks by Chinese Ambassador Qiu Xuejun at the Reception for Eritrean Friends
（From Chinese Embassy in The State of Eritrea）
2016/05/12
Remarks by Chinese Ambassador Qiu Xuejun at the Reception for Eritrean
Friends from Various Social Sectors
By Mr. Qiu Xuejun
Chinese Ambassador to the State of Eritrea
May 6, 2016, Asmara, Eritrea
Your Excellencies,
Eritrean Friends from various social sectors,
Chinese faculty members and Eritrean students at the Confucius Institute,
Members of Chinese Medical Team to Eritrea,
Workers of Chinese companies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening! Welcome to the 2016 Reception for Eritrean friends from
various social sectors.
When the Chinese Embassy in the State of Eritrea held a similar
reception for the first time last year, and was well received.
Eritrean friends from all walks of life who attended the reception had
passed a wonderful evening of sharing their stories about
China-Eritrea friendship. This year, we keep the good practice but
with more Eritrean friends attending. We intend to provide an
opportunity for Chinese and Eritrean friends to get together and
envisage the bright prospect for China-Eritrea friendship and
cooperation. It is heartening to witness the deepening of the
friendship between China and Eritrea, and to look forward to greater
expectations of China-Eritrea cooperation.
During the past year, more delegations from both China and Eritrea
exchanged visits and deepened mutual understanding. The beautiful
sceneries, different landscapes and diverse fauna-flora species in
Eritrea deeply impressed the Chinese delegations, and the smiles,
greetings and hospitality from Eritrean friends have left fond
memories in their minds.
In late April of this year, an exchange group from the International
Department of the Central Committee of the CPC visited Eritrea and had
party-to-party exchanges and cooperation with PFDJ. On April 26th,
Sichuan Road & Bridge Mining Investment and Development Corporation
procured shares of Asmara Mining Company, which represents another
achievement in mining cooperation between China and Eritrea. This week
China and Eritrea signed the agreement on the dispatch of the 10th
Chinese Medical Team to Eritrea and Credentials of Delivery of
medicines and apparatus. Late this month, an art troupe from China's
Hebei Province will participate in the celebration of the 25th
anniversary of Eritrean independence and put on cultural shows. All of
these are the latest highlights in China-Eritrea exchanges and
cooperation, and they are achieved thanks to the participation,
support and assistance of all of you present here.
China-Eritrea people to people exchanges and cooperation cover
economy, health, education, culture, agriculture, human resources and
other fields. Currently, the largest ever aid project of Chinese
government in Eritrea, the EIT College of Science project, is
progressing well. The expansion of the Hirgigo power plant in Massawa
and the agriculture-related factories which are contracted and being
built by Chinese companies, are also progressing well. Other finished
aid projects from Chinese government to Eritrea include an
agricultural drip irrigation project, three elementary schools in
Asmara, Mendefera and Gindae, have served to the development of
Eritrea. In the process of building these projects with guaranteed
quality and quantity, the Chinese companies and workers also help
training local employees in Eritrea, make friends with them and gain
respect and friendship from the Eritrean people.
China and Eritrea have had exchanges and cooperation in area of health
for a long time. Since September 1997, nine medical teams with more
than 160 doctors from China have come to Eritrea. In August 2015, a
Chinese medical team named "China-Africa Brightness Action" came to
Eritrea. The Chinese ophthalmologists operated 303 cataract surgeries
and brought brightness to local patients. The 9th Chinese medical team
will finish their tenure this June. Like their predecessors, they have
been hard working with Eritrean doctors and worked many extra hours to
treat more patients, making due contributions to health development in
Eritrea. Tonight they are among us at the reception, let's extend our
heartfelt thanks to them.
China and Eritrea have cooperated extensively in culture and
education. The Chinese government provides more than 20 scholarships
annually and a lot of training programs to Eritreans every year. This
year, China's Guizhou Province provides 10 extra scholarships to
Eritreans. The Eritrean Confucius Institute at National Commission for
Higher Education has offered opportunities for Eritrean students to
study Chinese language and culture. Faculty members and students from
the Confucius Institute prepared some performances tonight, which will
showcase their learning outcome and talents. Another news, the book
named Eritrea: the Pearl of the Red Sea compiled and edited by the
Chinese Embassy is being published in China, introducing a real ,
objective and comprehensive Eritrea to Chinese readers. We hope this
book can help attract more Chinese tourists to Eritrea.
Friendship between the Chinese and Eritrean peoples is the cornerstone
for our bilateral cooperation. Eritrean friends present or not present
today, are all part of this solid cornerstone. It is our common
efforts, participation and mutual support that make China-Eritrea
cooperation more fruitful, bring the Chinese and Eritrean peoples more
benefit, and make the foundation for China-Eritrea friendship more
solid. The selfless help you have provided to the Chinese Embassy,
Chinese medical team, the Confucius Institute and the Chinese
enterprises, and all that has been done to promote China-Eritrea
friendship will be remembered in our minds. On behalf of the Chinese
Embassy as well as the Chinese community in Eritrea, I would like to
express my sincere thanks to all the friends who have done so much to
support China-Eritrea friendship and cooperation. I hope our two
peoples will continue to care for and support China-Eritrea bilateral
relations, and further push forward the mutually beneficial
cooperation and people to people exchanges. I firmly believe that with
the strong support by our two governments and peoples, China-Eritrea
exchanges and cooperation will step to higher stages.
May I offer a toast,
To the further enhancement of friendship between our two peoples,
To the health of our friends! Cheers!
Received on Fri May 13 2016 - 12:52:33 EDT