H.E. Mr. GU Xiaojie, Chinese Ambassador

(November 14th, 2009)

Your Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi,

Honorable Ministers,

His Excellencies Ambassadors,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It’s my great honor and pleasure to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Tekeze Hydro Electric Power Project. I wish to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, the warmest congratulations on this auspicious occasion. I would like to express my sincere thanks to H.E. Prime Minister Meles and the Ethiopian Government for their support for the project. I would also like to express my appreciation for the relevant Chinese companies, whose hard work and professionalism have made this project a success.

The Tekeze Hydro Electric Power Project is the biggest contracted project by Chinese companies in Ethiopia. Its successful completion and operation is another major milestone of the mutually-beneficial bilateral cooperation. There is no doubt that it will go a long way towards helping to promote social and economic development in Ethiopia and improving the livelihood of the local communities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

China-Ethiopia cooperative relationship sets up an example of Sino-African friendship and South-South cooperation. This relationship has withstood the test of international vicissitudes and maintained the momentum of robust growth. Mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit are the main sources of vigor and vitality of the flourishing bilateral relations. The recent years have witnessed the rapid development of the China-Ethiopia relationship with fruitful results of pragmatic cooperation in all areas.

In the past several years, under the leadership of H.E. Prime Minister Meles, the Ethiopian Government has achieved a rapid and sustained economic growth and greatly improved people’s lives. Ethiopia has taken dynamic and effective measures to cope with the global financial crisis and succeeded in maintaining a double-digit economic growth for the 6th consecutive year. With growing significance and influence, Ethiopia has played an ever increasing role in the regional and African affairs as well as on major international and global issues, such as financial crisis, climate change and food security.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 4th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was concluded a few days ago in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The Conference reviewed the follow-up actions of the Beijing Summit and set forth new goals of Sino-African cooperation for the next 3 years with the Declaration of Sharm El Sheikh and the Sharm El Sheikh Action Plan (2010-2012) adopted. At the opening ceremony of the Conference, Chinese Premier Wen Jiaobao announced eight new measures to strengthen China-Africa cooperation for the next three years including providing financial assistance, addressing climate change, further opening Chinese market to African countries, enhancing cooperation in diverse areas etc.

The Government of Ethiopia and not least H. E. Prime Minister Meles, as the Chair of the 2nd Ministerial Conference and the Co-Chair of the Beijing Summit of the Forum have been making tremendous contributions to the development of the Forum. China cherishes the traditional friendship with Ethiopia and is ready to work closely with the Ethiopian side to promote the all-round cooperative partnership between the two countries to a higher level.

Thank you!