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African Regional News Updates |
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8 May 2009 Asmara — President Isaias Afwerki said
that relations between Eritrea and the People's
Republic of China (PRC) on the basis of strategic
partnership are developing at rapid pace. He made the
remarks in an interview he gave today to the Chinese
News Agency, Xinhua.
The President noted that although Eritrean-Chinese
relations was formally established in 1993, it is
nonetheless long-standing, and that in the period
after Eritrea's independence, Chinese companies are
actively engaged in mining, infrastructure,
agriculture, fisheries, health and education on
priority basis.
Stating that the people of Eritrea and China share
common values of stability, President Isaias explained
that the impressive achievements the PRC had scored
over the past 60 years in ensuring stability and
bringing about qualitative change in the standard of
living of its people has transformed the country into
major economic power. And as such, it is exemplary and
one that has vital contribution in promoting world
peace and stability, he elaborated. In this respect,
the President congratulated the Chinese people and
their leadership.
Pointing out that Africa has a lot to learn from
the successful Chinese achievements and its
potentials, he stressed the need for the developing
countries in general and that of Africa in particular
to foster relations with the PRC based on investment
partnership, as China possesses advanced technology
and infrastructure facilities. President Isaias went
on to say that tangible accomplishments have already
been scored on the ground.
Furthermore, the President indicated that the
current global economic crisis represents a wake-up
call for the PRC to direct attention away from the
unreliable and speculative market in the industrial
nations to those in Africa and other developing
countries. In this regard, he expressed conviction
that such a wake-up call would pave the way for
practical policies that could be translated into
action.
President Isaias further stated that the manner in
which the PRC handled the after-effects of the severe
earthquake that occurred a year ago is not only very
encouraging but also exemplary. He also lauded the
seriousness that the Chinese government demonstrated
in coping with the challenge, and that it is indeed
exemplary when compared with the task so far
undertaken to redress the destruction caused by the
Katrina cyclone in the USA. |
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