The President of Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki, paid a state visit to China, beginning on May 14. The visit was, in part, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Eritrea’s independence, which falls this May 24. The very same day is also the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Eritrea.
Although the two countries formally established relations on the day of Eritrea’s independence, their ties go much farther back, not least as China actively supported the Eritrean people during the protracted armed struggle they waged to win their national independence and liberation. President Afwerki himself came to China in 1967 as one of a group of young Eritrean revolutionaries to receive military and political training at a military academy in Nanjing. This period was formative to his later leadership of the liberation struggle and the building of a new society. Over the years, the Nanjing academy provided training to freedom fighters from many African countries engaged in armed national liberation struggles against imperialism, colonialism and racism and later to promote the development of armed forces of the continent’s newly independent countries.
Meeting President Afwerki on May 15, President Xi Jinping praised him as “a senior African leader and an old friend of China. Just now, on your way here [referring to their moving from the welcoming ceremony in Tiananmen Square to talks in the Great Hall of the People], you talked about your experience in China and your deep feelings towards China.”
Noting that China and Eritrea share a deep traditional friendship, Xi continued to note that in the face of the current international situation, which is full of instability and uncertainty, developing a sound China-Eritrea relationship not only serves the common and long-term interests of the two countries, but is also of great significance to safeguarding regional peace and international fairness and justice. China is ready to work with Eritrea to deepen a close and friendly relationship between the two countries as friends and comrades.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China appreciates Eritrea’s long-standing adherence to an independent foreign policy, firmly supports Eritrea in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, firmly supports Eritrea in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and opposes external interference in Eritrea’s internal affairs and the imposition of unilateral sanctions. China is ready to share experience with Eritrea on national governance, continue to support each other, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and the vast number of other developing countries. The Chinese leader also thanked Eritrea for providing support and assistance to China during its recent evacuation of Chinese citizens in Sudan, which again demonstrated the profound friendship between the two countries of sharing weal and woe and helping each other in difficulties.
For his part, Isaias Afwerki began by referring again to the support that China had extended to the struggle of the Eritrean people for independence and expressed his “profound gratitude” to the Communist Party of China. Whilst 30 years of diplomatic relations are being celebrated, practical strategic ties of friendship and cooperation began in earnest 60 years ago. He spoke of his special bond with China that has lasted for over half a century, and said that the Eritrean people will never forget the precious mental and material support the Chinese people provided for Eritrea’s independence and liberation. China is a great country. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the country has grown from a poor and backward country into a major country in the world, making outstanding contributions to peace and development of humanity. China has always held the moral high ground, put forward its own solutions to global challenges, upheld international fairness and justice, and encouraged developing countries seeking independence and development. Any attempt to contain or suppress China’s development is bound to fail. The evolution of the international order is at a critical stage, and African countries still face hegemonism and various unfair and unjust treatment. The international community expects and believes that China will make greater contributions to human development and progress and international fairness and justice. Eritrea hopes to strengthen cooperation with China and believes that Eritrea-China strategic partnership will help Eritrea achieve national economic and social development.
Earlier that day, Afwerki had also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Li pointed out that the two sides should further synergize their economic and social development strategies and strengthen exchanges on formulating industrial development plans, building industrial parks and supporting the development of key industries. Both sides should deepen cooperation in infrastructure, marine fisheries, water resources and energy and mineral resources development, and foster new highlights of cooperation in such areas as digital economy, green economy and blue economy. China will continue to provide assistance for Eritrea’s economic and social development to the best of its ability.
President Afwerki said that the Eritrean side appreciates China’s firm support for Eritrea’s independence and development and highly applauds China’s important contribution to maintaining world peace and opening up a new path for the modernization of humanity. Eritrea is ready to step up friendly cooperation with China, draw on China’s experience, promote further development of the Eritrea-China strategic partnership, write a new chapter in the Africa-China friendship, jointly oppose hegemonism, and join hands to build a more equitable and just international order.
The below reports on the two meetings were originally carried on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. For background information, we also reproduce below an interview with China’s Ambassador to Eritrea Cai Ge, originally carried by ChinAfrica, which is published under the auspices of Beijing Review.
Ambassador Cai refers to Sino-Eritrean large-scale cooperation in gold, polymetallic and potash mining, as well as in telecommunications, heavy equipment and infrastructure. He notes that China has been Eritrea’s top trading partner, largest source of investment and top contractor for years. The two countries also cooperate closely in health, agriculture, education and culture. As of 2022, China has sent 275 doctors to Eritrea in 15 groups and also built the country’s largest hospital. In terms of cultural cooperation, he notes that the Chinese TV drama Minning Town has been broadcast on Eritrean national television. This series has been immensely popular in China for its inspiring but gritty and realistic depiction of a community rising out of poverty. It tells the story of villagers from the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, who migrated and built Minning Town from scratch on the edge of the Gobi desert, with help coming in time from counterparts in the more prosperous province of Fujian. All 23 episodes, with English subtitles, are available to watch on YouTube.
In summary, Ambassador Cai notes that: “The China-Eritrea partnership, which is based on similar historical experiences and shared values and has its roots in mutual support in revolutions and national construction, has been strengthened over time. Both countries uphold an independent foreign policy and multilateralism, oppose hegemony and hegemonic acts, advocate the right of all countries to choose their own path of development, insist that African issues should be solved by Africans through African means, and object [to] interference in internal affairs.”
Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 15 May 2023
On the afternoon of May 15, 2023, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki who was in China for a state visit.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Eritrea have a profound traditional friendship. The two countries will mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties on May 24 this year. Over the past 30 years, China and Eritrea have always trusted and supported each other. China views and develops bilateral relations with Eritrea from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is a reliable friend of Eritrea. In the face of the current international situation, which is full of instability and uncertainty, developing a sound China-Eritrea relationship not only serves the common and long-term interests of the two countries, but is also of great significance to safeguarding regional peace and international fairness and justice. China is ready to work with Eritrea to deepen a close and friendly relationship between the two countries as friends and comrades, and constantly elevate China-Eritrea strategic partnership to new levels.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China appreciates Eritrea’s long-standing adherence to an independent foreign policy, firmly supports Eritrea in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, firmly supports Eritrea in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and opposes external interference in Eritrea’s internal affairs and the imposition of unilateral sanctions. China is ready to share experience with Eritrea on national governance, continue to support each other, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and the vast number of other developing countries. China is ready to work with Eritrea to advance mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve common development through such frameworks and platforms as Belt and Road cooperation, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa. China encourages and supports Chinese businesses’ investment in Eritrea, and stands ready to work with Eritrea to explore efforts to strengthen cooperation in such fields as infrastructure development, telecommunications, agriculture, mining and fisheries, and will continue to well implement projects of sending medical teams and senior agricultural experts to Eritrea. Xi Jinping thanked Eritrea for providing support and assistance to China during its recent evacuation of Chinese citizens in Sudan, which again demonstrated the profound friendship between the two countries of sharing weal and woe and helping each other in difficulties. The two sides should take more measures to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges and forge a closer bond between the two peoples.
Xi Jinping pointed out that no matter how the situation develops, mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual support and mutual help have always been the key features of China-Africa friendships, and China-Africa cooperation plays an important leading role in South-South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa. Africa is a promising land. Under new circumstances, it is more important than ever for China and Africa to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to overcome difficulties together. China is ready to work with Africa to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate strategic mutual trust, create new opportunities for Africa with China’s high-quality development and Chinese modernization, deepen and substantiate China-Africa practical cooperation for more new outcomes, and build an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future.
On the afternoon of May 15, 2023, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki who was in China for a state visit.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Eritrea have a profound traditional friendship. The two countries will mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties on May 24 this year. Over the past 30 years, China and Eritrea have always trusted and supported each other. China views and develops bilateral relations with Eritrea from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is a reliable friend of Eritrea. In the face of the current international situation, which is full of instability and uncertainty, developing a sound China-Eritrea relationship not only serves the common and long-term interests of the two countries, but is also of great significance to safeguarding regional peace and international fairness and justice. China is ready to work with Eritrea to deepen a close and friendly relationship between the two countries as friends and comrades, and constantly elevate China-Eritrea strategic partnership to new levels.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China appreciates Eritrea’s long-standing adherence to an independent foreign policy, firmly supports Eritrea in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, firmly supports Eritrea in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and opposes external interference in Eritrea’s internal affairs and the imposition of unilateral sanctions. China is ready to share experience with Eritrea on national governance, continue to support each other, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and the vast number of other developing countries. China is ready to work with Eritrea to advance mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve common development through such frameworks and platforms as Belt and Road cooperation, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa. China encourages and supports Chinese businesses’ investment in Eritrea, and stands ready to work with Eritrea to explore efforts to strengthen cooperation in such fields as infrastructure development, telecommunications, agriculture, mining and fisheries, and will continue to well implement projects of sending medical teams and senior agricultural experts to Eritrea. Xi Jinping thanked Eritrea for providing support and assistance to China during its recent evacuation of Chinese citizens in Sudan, which again demonstrated the profound friendship between the two countries of sharing weal and woe and helping each other in difficulties. The two sides should take more measures to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges and forge a closer bond between the two peoples.
Xi Jinping pointed out that no matter how the situation develops, mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual support and mutual help have always been the key features of China-Africa friendships, and China-Africa cooperation plays an important leading role in South-South cooperation and international cooperation with Africa. Africa is a promising land. Under new circumstances, it is more important than ever for China and Africa to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to overcome difficulties together. China is ready to work with Africa to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate strategic mutual trust, create new opportunities for Africa with China’s high-quality development and Chinese modernization, deepen and substantiate China-Africa practical cooperation for more new outcomes, and build an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future.
Li Qiang Meets with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 15 May 2023
On the morning of May 15, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met at the Great Hall of the People with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki who was in China for a state visit.
Li Qiang said that over the 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Eritrea, the two countries have enjoyed solid political mutual trust and increasingly close cooperation. Last year, President Xi Jinping and President Isaias Afwerki decided to elevate the China-Eritrea relationship to a strategic partnership, injecting new and strong impetus into the two countries’ efforts to deepen cooperation in various fields. China will work with Eritrea to continuously enrich the China-Eritrea strategic partnership, enhance the strategic nature and sustainability of bilateral cooperation and achieve win-win development.
Li Qiang pointed out that the two sides should further synergize their economic and social development strategies and strengthen exchanges on formulating industrial development plans, building industrial parks and supporting the development of key industries. Both sides should deepen cooperation in infrastructure, marine fisheries, water resources and energy and mineral resources development, and foster new highlights of cooperation in such areas as digital economy, green economy and blue economy. China will continue to provide assistance for Eritrea’s economic and social development to the best of its ability. Both sides should coordinate and cooperate more closely in regional and international affairs, and implement the nine programs under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa. The two sides should uphold true multilateralism, firmly oppose hegemony and bullying, defend the common interests of China, Eritrea, and other developing countries, and safeguard world peace and development as well as international fairness and justice.
Isaias Afwerki said that the Eritrean side appreciates China’s firm support for Eritrea’s independence and development and highly applauds China’s important contribution to maintaining world peace and opening up a new path for the modernization of humanity. Eritrea is ready to step up friendly cooperation with China, draw on China’s experience, promote further development of the Eritrea-China strategic partnership, write a new chapter in the Africa-China friendship, jointly oppose hegemonism, and join hands to build a more equitable and just international order.
Qin Gang, among others, was present at the meeting.
A Burgeoning Strategic Partnership
ChinAfrica, 15 May 2023
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Eritrea. In an interview with ChinAfrica, Cai Ge, Chinese ambassador to Eritrea, shares his views and vision on the development of bilateral relations. An edited excerpt of his views follows.
Solidified mutual trust
Eritrea is an important country in the Horn of Africa region and an important hub of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. China and Eritrea have a deep-rooted friendship, and have always been good friends, partners and brothers who respect each other and treat each other as equals. Before the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries had supported each other in national development.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago, the strategic partnership between the two countries has achieved rapid development, reaching a new high under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki, who studied in China in the 1960s and has a deep affection for China.
To steer the development of the bilateral relations, the two heads of state have maintained close correspondence with each other and have both expressed their high regard for the bilateral strategic partnership and their willingness to promote its continuous development and deepen mutual political trust and friendly cooperation in various fields. In early 2022, China and Eritrea established a strategic partnership according to the consensus of the two heads of state. Together, they have pointed the way forward and drew a blueprint for the development of the bilateral relations.
In January 2022, then State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Eritrea as the first stop of his trip to Africa, where he met with Eritrean President Afwerki and Foreign Minister Osman Saleh. A joint statement was signed by the two foreign ministers. Both sides agreed to actively conduct practical cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest.
China and Eritrea have always supported each other in the international arena. Both countries are firmly committed to safeguarding the UN Charter, international law, and the basic norms of international relations. Both countries advocate international fairness and justice, support true multilateralism, firmly oppose hegemonism and power politics, and object unilateral sanctions. China and Eritrea have always understood and supported each other on issues related to each other’s core interests and major concerns. China is willing to work with Eritrea to promote the common values of all humankind, implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative, and jointly build a community of shared future for humanity.
Fruitful cooperation
The two countries have forged closer economic ties. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral economic cooperation and trade have steadily developed. In November 2021, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has provided a powerful platform for the two countries to further align development strategies and for Eritrea to transform its resource endowments into drivers of economic development. With the joint efforts of both sides, rapid growth has been achieved in bilateral trade, investment and project contracting, and the bilateral cooperation has grown larger in size and been elevated to higher levels, involving more fields.
In particular, China-Eritrea cooperation on large-scale projects has borne fruit, with the Zara gold mine and the Bisha polymetallic mine operating well, the Asmara polymetallic mine under construction, and a world-class potash mine in Colluli being planned. Notable achievements have also been made in the fields of telecommunications, heavy equipment and infrastructure construction. For years, China has been Eritrea’s top trading partner, largest source of investment and top contractor. It can be said the two countries have established close economic cooperation.
Cooperation and exchanges in other fields, such as health, agriculture, education and culture, have also been deepened, benefitting both countries and peoples. As of 2022, China had sent 275 doctors in 15 batches to Eritrea to help the sick, and had built Orota Referral Hospital, the largest hospital in Eritrea. These have helped to promote the development of medical services in Eritrea. Chinese agricultural experts are implementing demonstration planting of apples, beans and oil crops in Eritrea, which have started to yield results. The Confucius Institute in Eritrea has been operating for 10 years, providing Chinese language and culture courses to the Eritrean people, and has been warmly welcomed. China has also trained talents for Eritrea through various means and helped Eritrea to build capacity. The two governments have signed cultural agreements and an implementation plan for 2023-2026.
As an old Chinese saying goes, “state-to-state relations thrive when there is friendship between the peoples.” China-Eritrea friendship has taken deep roots in the hearts of the people. Both countries have their unique, splendid civilisations, and although they are far apart from each other, exchanges among the people have been going on since ancient times. A display of Chinese pottery with Chinese characters in the Northern Red Sea Regional Museum in Massawa is a testimony to the long history of China-Eritrea relations.
Chinese culture is becoming increasingly popular among the Eritrean people. Chinese TV drama Minning Town has been broadcast on the Eritrean national television and a Chinese song and dance competition has been held. Young Eritreans participated in the Tiangong Dialogue activity, where they, together with other young Africans, communicated with Shenzhou-14 taikonauts. My Dream painting competition and an essay contest commemorating the 30th anniversary of China-Eritrea diplomatic ties were also held. These activities fully reflect the friendship between the two peoples.
Partnership for peace and development
The China-Eritrea partnership, which is based on similar historical experiences and shared values and has its roots in mutual support in revolutions and national construction, has been strengthened over time. Both countries uphold an independent foreign policy and multilateralism, oppose hegemony and hegemonic acts, advocate the right of all countries to choose their own path of development, insist that African issues should be solved by Africans through African means, and object interference in internal affairs. As a country in the Horn of Africa, Eritrea plays an indispensable and important role in peace and development in the region. It appreciates and supports the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa proposed by China, and believes that China will play a greater role in promoting regional peace and development.
China will continue to work with Eritrea on the basis of mutual respect, equal treatment and mutual benefit. Together, we will give full play to the BRI and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and earnestly implement the Nine Programmes projects between China and Eritrea. We will safeguard international justice and enrich the content of the strategic partnership between the two countries. We will promote cooperation in various fields to a new level for the benefit of both countries and the peoples, and contribute to building a China-Africa and global community of shared future.
