Download logoOn January 10, 2023 local time, Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen jointly met the press and answered questions after their talks.
When asked about China's views on Ethiopia's peace deal and the progress of the "Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa" in Ethiopia, Qin Gang said that Ethiopia is the common home of all Ethiopians, including those from the Tigray Region. With the ceasefire agreement recently reached between the federal government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front being steadily implemented, Ethiopia has entered a new stage with a hope for peace and a focus on development. China is truly happy about this and extends warm congratulations to the government and people of Ethiopia.
Qin Gang said that China has always believed that the conflict in the Tigray Region is an internal affair of Ethiopia and that the Ethiopian people have the wisdom and ability to independently resolve their internal differences; China has always respected Ethiopia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and supported the Ethiopian government and people's efforts to achieve national peace, unity and development; China has always supported African people in solving African problems in African ways.
Qin Gang stressed that the Horn of Africa is a region of strategic importance and has a major impact on the peace and stability of Africa and even the Middle East. He noted that the "Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa" put forward by China is aimed at supporting countries in the region to seek strength through unity and achieve prosperity and stability. Recalling the multiple visits to countries in the region by the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang said that China supported the convening of the inaugural Horn of Africa Peace Conference, and made positive contributions to building consensus among all parties and promoting peace and development in the region. 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. He also called on the international community to increase humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia and support the reconstruction and economic and social development of the relevant regions.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
