Chinese special envoy commends wisdom of Ethiopians in solving internal issues through dialogue

Addis Ababa, March 15, 2023 (FBC) – The peace progress in Ethiopia demonstrates that the Ethiopian people have the wisdom and ability to independently resolve their internal differences through negotiation and dialogue, China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Xue Bing said.

Ambassador Bing has also affirmed that China will play its role in reconstructing conflict-affected regions in Ethiopia.

Briefing journalists today, the ambassador noted that Ethiopia has entered a new stage with a hope for peace and a focus on development following the Pretoria peace agreement.

“The peace progress in Ethiopia demonstrates that the Ethiopian people have the wisdom and ability to independently resolve their internal differences through negotiation and dialogue. It shows that African people solving African problems through African ways is the sure path toward to the settlement of the complex issues of the region,” the special envoy added.

According to him, China proposed the “Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa” with the aim of supporting countries in the region in seeking strength through unity and achieving prosperity and stability.

China always believes that the conflict in the northern part of the country is a domestic affair of Ethiopia and should be resolved by the Ethiopian people themselves through negotiation and dialogue, Ambassador Bing stressed, adding that “China always respects Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and supports the Ethiopian government and people’s efforts to achieve national peace, unity and development.”

Moreover, “China has provided multiple batches of food, vaccines and other humanitarian supplies to Ethiopia to help ease the livelihood difficulties of people in conflict-affected areas. China will continue to do so and will actively participate in the reconstruction of conflict-affected areas.”

At the same time, Ambassador Bing called on the international community to increase humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia, support the reconstruction and economic and social development of the relevant regions with concrete actions to help Ethiopia to achieve lasting peace, development, and prosperity.

Speaking of resolving African countries’ debt, the special envoy said that China has actively participated in the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and signed debt suspension agreements or reached a consensus on debt relief with 19 African countries.

He underscored that “China has also been actively engaged in the case-by-case debt treatment for Chad, Ethiopia, and Zambia under the G20 Common Framework.”

Ambassador Xue Bing is currently in Addis on a visit to Ethiopia and AU, exchanging views on further implementation of the China-proposed Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa.