MEDIA ADVISORY

Official visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Wang Yi to the African Union Commission

Handover Ceremony of the Integrated Service Center

What: Official visit of the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Wang Yi to the African Union Commission.
Highlights for media will include
Ø An opening session to be addressed by the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister and the AU Commission Chairperson;
Ø Handshake photograph of the 2 principals in front of the Nelson Mandela Hall;
Ø Visit to the Integrated Service Center Project site and handover ceremony.

When: Friday, 4th January 2019 starting at 7:00 a.m.

Where: Small Conference Hall 2, AU New Complex, African Union HQ.

Why: The Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister will have discussions with African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat regarding the progress made since the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing summit (2018). The two leaders are expected to hold bilateral talks on various issues before proceeding to the Small Conference Hall 1 to have a meeting with the Senior Officials from AU Commission as well as Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. After the meeting, they will move to the stairs outside the Mandela Hall to shake hands for photos.

Background:

Integrated Service Center Project:

Following the initiation of the AU Commission for the construction of the Integrated Service Center with the objective to meet its service requirements, the Government of Ethiopia has allocated 17,000sq.mt. of land in the Northern end of the AU Premises and the Government of China has agreed to finance, design, construct and equip the project.

The Integrated Service Center Project is a multi-storey building consisting of 3 floors and a mezzanine with total area 16170.74 ㎡. The main functions of the project are:

· A modern staff/delegates cafeteria and dinning center with a capacity of 1,500 seats. It has also a VIP area for service;

· Accreditation Center;

· Archive;

· Printing Center;

· Main Store.

Representatives of the media, are invited to cover the visit of the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Wang Yi.

Journalists should arrive before 7:00 a.m. to facilitate management of their participation during the visit to the Integrated Service Center.

For media inquiries, please contact:

1. Mr. Gamal Ahmed A. Karrar| Communication Officer| Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

2. Ms. Afrah Mohamed| Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission| Mobile: +251115182568| E-mail: Thabitma@africa-union.org

For further information:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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