Remarks by Ambassador Tan Jian at the CCCE & AASTU Education Foundation Scholarship Awarding Ceremony

(December 13th,2017, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

Your Excellency Prof. Afework Kassu, State Minister of Science and Technology,

Dr. Nurelegne Tefera, President of Addis Ababa Science and Technology University,

Dear teachers and students from the University,

Dear entrepreneurs and compatriots from China Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia,

Ladies and gentlemen,

A very good afternoon to all of you!

I am the ambassador of the PRC to the FDRE. I arrived on the 4th of December. So, this is my 10th day. Here I am, making my debut remarks - my first public address in Ethiopia as ambassador.

What a pleasure!

First of all, let me congratulate the students of AASTU who have won the scholarship. And I thank all those students for your interest in and applying for the scholarship.

I also wish to thank CCCE for launching the education foundation last year to support the high level training and executing the program in earnest.

My gratitude goes to the MST of Ethiopia and AASTU for the support and cooperation in the design and implementation of this project.

Dear friends,

I came with the knowledge that Ethiopia is a great country. It is the largest economy in East Africa; the second most populous country in Africa. Over the past ten days - only ten days - I have been deeply impressed with the rich culture of Ethiopia; deeply impressed with the scope and scale of cooperation between China and Ethiopia. I see a lot of commonalities between us. Like, we both are developing countries; both have a proud history, an age-old civilization, and a bright future; both cherish national independence and state unity; both are striving for the rejuvenation of our nations. It is a great honour to serve as the ambassador of China to this great country. And I will do my level best to sustain the relationship and further promote what we termed the "comprehensive and strategic cooperative partnership" between our two countries.

China is Ethiopia's largest investor and trading partner. Chinese companies have helped build the Addis Ababa to Djibouti Railway, the first electric railway in Africa; the AA Light Rail Transit; the first industry Zone, and many other projects. They are the constructors and contributors of the economic and social development of Ethiopia. This is win-win economic cooperation.

President Xi Jinping emphasized the principle of upholding justice while pursuing shared interests, and the policy of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith toward developing countries. Guided by this principle and policy, the Chinese government has been encouraging its companies to undertake corporate social responsibilities while doing business. It's heartening to learn that CCCE has been organizing its members to do a lot of charity projects in Ethiopia, like building schools, roads, digging wells, like making donations and providing aid in cash and in kind.

The launch of the foundation to support the high level training program by CCCE is a clear manifestation that Chinese companies in Ethiopia are taking corporate responsibility seriously.

Dear teachers and students,

Sitting together with you and the State Minister of Science and technology, I want to make the following two points.

First, education can make a difference. We Chinese believe in Confucius. One major tenet of Confucius teaching is the emphasis on education. That explains in part why some Asian economies have developed so rapidly. There are three kinds of resources: financial resources, natural resources, human resources. To me, human resources are the most important. When I say human resources, it is not just the human brawn, while it is more the human brains. And we developing countries have human resources in abundance. The thing is how to develop our human resources.

Let's exploit this rich bonanza.

Second, science and technology is the key to development. The world is developing very fast, we are now living in the digital stage, moving towards the knowledge-based economy as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia has emphasized. We are embracing the so-called fourth industrial revolution. Let's grasp this opportunity to catch up, not to lag behind. We call ourselves developing countries. We need to make sure that we are developing and narrowing the gap. If we are doing well with the help of science and technology, we can leap forward.

Dear friends,

I see many young students in the room. The University President told me that they are the elite of Ethiopia, the cream of society. It's so nice to be with you. Let me share with you one secret: I am fifty-two years YOUNG. But I feel I am twenty-five years old. I wish to conclude with a quotation from Chairman Mao.

The world is yours, and also ours. But in the final analysis the world belongs to you. You young people are full of bloom. You are like the morning sun at eight or nine and we place our hope on you.

Once again, thank you State Minister of science and technology; thank you President, teachers and students of the University; thank you CCCE.

Let's join hands to further promote the Sino-Ethiopian relations.

Thank you very much.