Statement by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on the occasion of the visit of Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, to the African Union
5 May 2014, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 
Your Excellency, Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China,

Your Excellency Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Excellency the Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union,

Members of the Permanent Representatives Committee,

Members of the Chinese Delegation,

Colleagues of the AU Commission,

Invited Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your Excellency Premier Li Keqiang,

The African Union considers today an important milestone in the historical relationship between Africa and China. This strategic and unique relationship is an expression of a long, deep and enduring solidarity between Africa and China. It was built in the long walk of Africa’s struggles against colonialism and foreign domination, and Africa’s pursuit for self-determination, freedom, justice, peace and prosperity. This visit, therefore, is an affirmation of the shared ideals and strong commitment we share to our collective destiny and that of humanity as a whole.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the headquarters of the African Union during your historic first visit to our beautiful continent.

We hope as you continue your journey from Ethiopia to three other African countries you will accumulate fond memories and have constructive engagements.

We consider Your Excellency’s presence with us today and your visit to some of our member states as a clear testimony not only of your personal interest in the African Union, but of the People’s Republic of China’s historical friendship and strong commitment to Africa.

The Africa Union considers China’s cooperation with Africa a model of a win-win partnership, based on mutual respect and aimed at producing tangible results in areas of common interest.

I would like to assure Your Excellency of our commitment to work with your government to carry this partnership and our friendship to new heights.

Your Excellencies,

We in African Union are determined together with our Member States to build a prosperous, integrated, people-centered Africa at peace with itself and taking its rightful place in the world stage.

Of course, our first priority is our people especially the Youth and Women. For us to archive the Africa we want, we have to educate, train and skill our people with special emphasis on science, technology, research and innovation, and also vocational training.

We have to train hundreds of engineers in almost every sector, town planners, agronomists to name but a few.

Secondly, food security through expanding and increasing of our agricultural production, agro processing and agri-business based on CAADP, so that we can be able to feed the growing population of Africa and also to feed the world.

Africa needs to transform its economy through industrialization, adding value to our natural and mineral resources has to be a critical element, so that we can create jobs for our young people and they can also create jobs.

Infrastructure, especially transport, energy, ICT, water and social infrastructure: this will assist us to increase intra African trade, facilitate movement of people and goods.

In our agenda2063, one of our dreams is to connect our continent with speed trains. We know China has great experience in this.

We have to facilitate and increase intra African trade and the movement of goods and people.

We must also work on “Silencing the guns” in Africa by 2020 so that we may enjoy peace, and concentrate more on development. And appreciate the cooperation on peace with China.

Empowerment of women to ensure that they participate in all areas of human endeavor is also a keep point. We have to campaign against the abduction on school girls because girls need education. Girls need to be at school. It is their right.

Through these progammes which are part of our agenda 2063, we shall be able to take our people out of poverty and develop and modernize our continent. In this regard we would like and appreciate the sharing experience with china on poverty reduction strategies, but also on modernising the continent as the example of China.

Your Excellency,

Africa welcomes the economic investments that the Chinese government and private sector are making in Africa and hope that this will increase in the coming year since returns from African investments are higher than in most places.

We in the African Union greatly appreciate China’s assistance to help us realize our goals of development, prosperity and peace for now and future generations.

The African Union is grateful to China for all the generous assistance that has been extended to the AUC and to its Member States, including this very building and planned extensions.

We would also like to thank the Prime Minister and the Government of Ethiopian, our host, for always being there when we need land.

Your Excellency,

During my official visit to China in February 2013, in the context of our Fifth Strategic Dialogue, we held productive meetings with various Chinese authorities and institutions, including the National Development and Reform Commission of China and the All-China Women’s Federation, on strengthening cooperation and sharing experience on women empowerment and socioeconomic development.

We commit ourselves to work with China to follow up on the specific actions we agreed to carry out together, including the implementation of the MoU that was signed today in this regard.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to say a few words about FOCAC, the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation.

FOCAC has proved to be an indispensable and exemplary cooperation mechanism because it focuses on meeting the real needs of both partners in a constructive and tangible manner.

Both of us should accelerate the implementation of the Fifth FOCAC Declaration and Plan of Action for 2013-2015.

Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let us strengthen Africa and China’s cooperation and friendship for the benefit of both our citizens, but also for the benefit of humanity.

African economies are growing at a fast rate. Our natural resources – land and maritime – are abundant. It is therefore our fervent hope that our continent will soon become a preferred destination of Chinese public and private investments.

Your Excellencies,

Once again a very warm welcome to Africa and the AU headquarters, and wish you a very pleasant and constructive tour of Africa. And hope this tour will make you make more tours in Africa.

Thank you.