Chinese Embassy, companies mourn late Ethiopian premier

Staff of Chinese Embassy and representatives of Chinese companies operating in Ethiopia on Thursday paid tribute and respect to the late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi during a memorial service organized at the Commercial Counselor Office of the Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.

Speaking on the occasion, Xie Xiaoyan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, said as good friends of Ethiopia, the Chinese people join Ethiopians in sharing same feeling of deep sadness and sorrow over the untimely passing away of Prime Minister Meles.

The Ambassador hailed the great contribution the late Premier made to peace and stability, economic and social development of Ethiopia.

Meles made great contribution to the peace, development and prosperity of the African continent as well as addressing the global challenges facing the mankind of the world, said Xie.

Reiterating that the late Prime Minister established good relations and friendship with the Chinese leaders, the Ambassador stated that his great contribution to the China-Ethiopia mutual beneficial cooperation in all sectors would be remembered forever.

"His great contribution to the China-Ethiopia mutual beneficial cooperation in all areas, and efforts to promote the development of all-round cooperative partnership relations between the two countries, will be cherished in our memory forever," he said.

"Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's passing away is a great loss for Ethiopian and African people. However, the grand visions, ideas, and thoughts to guide the governance and development of Ethiopia that explored and promoted by the late PM has been accepted and took root deeply in the minds of the Ethiopian people," he said.

He also expressed his firm belief that while inheriting the late Premier's cherished spirit and legacy, the Ethiopian people would turn grief into strength and achieve greater accomplishment on the road to Ethiopian rejuvenation.

"We also believe that under the support of the new leaders of Ethiopia and its people, and the joint efforts by the two sides, the China-Ethiopia relations will continue to stride forward, which will further benefit the two countries and their peoples," said the Ambassador.

He also revealed that a High-Level Delegation led by Hui Liangyu, Chinese Special Envoy and Vice Premier, would attend the funeral of the late Prime Minister scheduled for Sept. 2, 2012.

Reading brief profile of the late Premier, Dina Mufti, Spokesperson of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Meles was a pioneer of the New Partnership on Development (NEPAD) and also an advocate for Africa for climate and other issues related to Africa.

He also told reporters that Meles played great role in bringing the relations between Ethiopia and China to a higher level.

Dina said Chinese companies are operating in Ethiopia in different sectors, including in infrastructure development.

Arega Hailu, Director General for Asia and Oceania Affairs within the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Meles was instrumental to the strong relations Ethiopia has with China.

Arega also said that the late Premier encouraged many Chinese companies to invest in Ethiopia and he inaugurated companies now operational in his country.

The Director General also stated that Meles was the ardent supporter of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC).

"He puts China as the reliable strategic partner in national development, on regional and on common international interests. Hence, he loves to work close with the Chinese leadership," said Arega.

The Director General also indicated that Ethiopia would continue its relations with China with the next leadership.

By investing in various sectors, the Chinese companies have created jobs and have helped to improve the livelihood of Ethiopians, noted the Director General.

"Chinese companies have helped us develop our infrastructures such as roads, telecommunications, power, etc. They are in manufacturing and other sectors," he said.

He also recalled that China reaffirmed its commitment to Ethiopian government officials at the FOCAC Ministerial Meeting in Beijing, China to strengthen relations with Ethiopia and expand its cooperation to make Ethiopia's Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) successful.

"We still value our relations with China and we still would like to lift it to a higher level. We will continue to work together in the future," he said.

The Director General thanked the Chinese People and Government, and the Chinese companies in Ethiopia for the contribution they have been making to economic and social development in Ethiopia.

He called on them to continue the same in the future.

He thanked the Chinese leadership for condolences sent to the Ethiopian government and families of the late PM, and also for organizing a High-Level Delegation to attend the funeral.

He also extended thanks to the Chinese community in Ethiopia for organizing the Memorial Service and joining Ethiopians mourning PM Meles.