Confucius Institute committed to strengthen China-Ethiopia cooperation

Addis Ababa, December 4, 2023 (FBC) – Confucius Institute (CI) has been committed to teaching Chinese to students from Ethiopia to strengthen China-Ethiopia educational and cultural cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of two countries, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Zhao Zhiyuan said.

Confucius Institute (CI) in Addis Ababa University has marked the 10th anniversary today in the presence of officials and representatives of AAU and Ministry of Education as well as Chinese diplomats and students.

In his remark at the occasion, Ambassador Zhao Zhiyuan said 10 years ago, the institute began to take its root in the Addis Ababa University (AAU).

With persistent joint efforts of Tianjin University of Technology and Education (TUTE), the institute has grown from a sapling to a big tree, bearing fruits of talents for exchanges and cooperation in many fields between our two countries, he added.

As an academic and professional platform of Chinese teaching and cultural exchange, the institute has been committed to teaching Chinese to students from Ethiopia as a whole to strengthen friendship between two peoples.

Chinese government attaches great importance to international cooperation in education, the ambassador said, adding that the institutes worldwide serve as a bridge of friendship between China and the world, and as a bond that culturally connects Chinese and other peoples.

“As we have elevated our relationship to ‘all weather strategic partnership’ more and more talents are needed who can speak each other’s language and who understand each other’s culture for greater cooperation and brighter prospects,” he said.

He expressed his belief that with the strong support of two governments and the joint efforts of the two universities, the institute will make even greater contributions to mutual learning between our civilizations and communication among our two peoples.

Interim President of Addis Ababa University, Samuel Kifle said Ethiopia and China, having reached the level of cooperation which is comprehensive and all weather, now have more interwoven interest than ever.

For Ethiopian Students having access to learn Chinese, a language spoken by the second most populous nation owning the second largest economy, will avail them tremendous opportunities for their future success, he added.

Cognizant of this, Addis Ababa University has created and strengthened collaboration with Universities from China and attached great importance to having the Confucius Institute and supported for the realization of its goal.

“Today as we mark the 10th anniversary of the CI at AAU, we aim an even greater objectives of solidifying our past achievements and chart new areas of collaboration for the mutual interest of the two nations. Being the nation’s first autonomous flagship University, AAU will continue to expand and create new collaborations for running joint programs, student and Staff exchange, joint research, etc.”

The Confucius Institute will remain to symbolize what we can achieve together based on the will and support of all concerned offices.

He added that he is grateful for the support the Embassy has been extending to the CI and Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) to open Amharic Language teaching.

AAU and Tianjin University of Technology and Education established academic and research partnership in 2011, and AAU opened the Chinese language teaching center the same year in November, it was learned.

According to ENA, an agreement was also signed to extend the Confucius Institute at the Addis Ababa University for another five years.