ADDIS ABABA — A high-level forum was held today in Addis Ababa as part of the Civilization Lecture Series, focusing on strengthening the civilizational, cultural, and people-to-people relations between Ethiopia and China.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the forum highlighted the long and rich histories of both nations, with Ethiopia's 3,000-year history and China's 5,000-year legacy taking center stage. He noted that the ties between the two countries have evolved into an all-weather, comprehensive strategic partnership, underpinned by their sustained efforts in cooperation.
The forum showcased the deep historical connections between the two civilizations, dating back to diplomatic interactions since 100 B.C. Li Jun emphasized the importance of respecting civilizational diversity and advocating shared human values to further strengthen these ties. He proposed three key areas for future cooperation: enhancing mutual respect for civilizational diversity, promoting shared human values, and bolstering people-to-people exchanges.
United Nations Development Programme advisor Gedion Jalata highlighted the significance of understanding each other's civilizations to foster better collaboration. He referenced China's remarkable achievement in poverty alleviation, where over 700 million people were lifted out of poverty in less than three decades, suggesting that Ethiopia could learn valuable lessons from China's experience.
Melaku Mulualem, Director-General at the Institute of Foreign Affairs, contributed to the discussion by mentioning China's Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), introduced by President Xi Jinping. This initiative calls for dialogue among civilizations to ensure peace and cooperative development. Mulualem stressed that such dialogues are essential for maintaining peace and understanding between diverse civilizations.
The event also marked important upcoming anniversaries for both nations—the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China and the 54th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ethiopia. The forum concluded with a commitment to deepen cultural and civilizational connections and to continue the dialogue and cooperation into the future.
The Civilization Lecture Series, aligned with China's GCI, included representatives from both countries, such as officials from the political department of the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, the Institute of Foreign Affairs, the National Dialogue Commission, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, aiming to explore their intertwined histories and discuss pathways for future collaboration.