Press Release Nº 93 /2014

Africa and China Strategic Partnership gets new impetus with the visit of China Premier to the AU headquarters

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5th May, 2014: The Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Li Keqiang, has reiterated China’s commitment to reinforce the Sino-Africa strategic partnership. Mr. Kegiang was speaking on Monday 5 May 2014 while addressing AU Officials and staff; the diplomatic Corps; the Chinese community in Addis Ababa, representatives of the international organizations; AU Members States; the media; business people, and other invited guests, at the African Union Conference Complex in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The official visit of the Chinese premier to the AU featured a tour of the facilities of the New AU Conference Center, a gift from the Chinese government to Africa, in the presence of Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, followed by a tete-a-tete with Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AUC and a brief working session with the AUC Commissioners before proceeding to the plenary hall to address the public. In his statement, the Chinese Premier enumerated some main projects and areas of cooperation between the two parties. Hailing the economic development witnessed in the African continent, he called on the two parties to make use of this opportunity for the common interest of their respective populations and for a brighter future “given that Africa and China have a common historical past”, he noted.

Welcoming the Chinese Premier at the AU Headquarters, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Dlamini Zuma highlighted the long standing cooperation between Africa and China. “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,” she underscored. She added that 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”. (See complete statement of AUC Chairperson on the AU website: www.au.int ).

Speaking earlier, H.E. Mr Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia saluted the joint ventures in the areas of investment and establishment of Chinese industries in Africa which he said will create employment as well as transfer technology in the continent.

A guided tour of an exhibition of the Chinese aviation and railway networks concluded the visit of Prime Minister Li Keqiang to the AU headquarters.

AMT/EAT

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia.

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