High-quality development is China’s top priority in building a modernized country in a comprehensive manner. Since the beginning of this year, China’s economy has maintained a rebound and upward trend, with strong resilience, great potential and sufficient vitality, and the fundamentals of long-term improvement will not change. Looking ahead, China’s development prospects are bright and it will certainly make greater contributions to the development and progress of mankind.
The year 2023 is significant in the history of China-Eritrea relations as it marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Just as the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius said, a man should be steadfast at the age of thirty, the anniversary of 30 years is also important. At present, China and Eritrea have established a strategic partnership.
H.E. President Isaias Afwerki visited China in May this year, and met with H.E. President Xi Jinping, H.E. Premier Li Qiang and other Chinese leaders. The two heads of state have reached a series of important consensus, which ushered in a new and broad prospect for the China-Eritrea relations. Looking back at our 3 decades of diplomatic relations, there are a number of reasons behind this good relationship:
China and Eritrea are like-minded comrades. It is frequently said by Eritrean friends that while China and Eritrea have 30 years of diplomatic relations, the friendship between the two countries began over 60 years ago.
China and Eritrea are comrades in arms through thick and thin. China and Eritrea have always supported each other on issues regarding each others’ core interests and major concerns, and shared the same or similar views on major international issues. We both advocate fairness and justice in the international arena, and resolutely oppose hegemony and power politics. Although China and Eritrea are geographically far apart, we treat each other with all sincerity and share weal and woe.
China and Eritrea are partners of mutually beneficial cooperation. Our economic and trade cooperation has been developing steadily. We signed the memorandum of understanding on “Belt and Road” cooperation. Major China-Eritrea joint-projects such as Asmara Mining, Zara Mining, and Bisha Mining are running and thriving. China and Eritrea have consistently conducted practical cooperation in the fields of health, agriculture, education, culture, etc. 16 batches of Chinese medical team consisting of 293 Chinese doctors have come to Eritrea to aid the sick, and Chinese agricultural experts are implementing demonstration planting of apples, beans and oil crops in Eritrea.
China and Eritrea are friends bonded by hearts. “The friendship of nations lies in the affinity of peoples”. China and Eritrea enjoy a time-tested friendship and this friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of our two peoples. The exchange between our two countries can be traced back to over a millennium. The museum in Massawa displays an ancient Chinese ceramic wine vessel engraved with Chinese characters “Wanhe Chanshan”, which were unearthed in Eritrea. Two weeks ago, China’s Zhejiang Wu Opera Troupe, together with Eritrean artists, put on two wonderful performances at Cinema Roma, receiving warm welcome from the Eritrean people.
Eritrea is known as the “Pearl of the Red Sea”, I believe that there will be more Chinese people visiting Eritrea in the future to appreciate Eritrea’s untouched natural scenery, time-tested historical relics and the beauty of its harmonious diversity. Our friends from Eritrea are also most-welcome to visit China.
In today’s world, multiple challenges and crises are intertwined. The global economic recovery remains sluggish. The development gap is widening. Ecological environment is deteriorating. The Cold War mentality is lingering. Humanity has once again reached a crossroads of history. The Horn of Africa, where we are situated, is also confronted with a number of serious challenges.
We should embrace the idea of a community with a shared future for mankind, promote the common values of mankind, strengthen solidarity, cooperate in good faith and work together to overcome challenges. China has put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and is ready to work with all parties to promote common development and prosperity, achieve universal security and strengthen exchanges and mutual understanding among civilizations.
Recently, China released a white paper “A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Proposals and Actions”, which comprehensively introduces the concept and practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
