The second China-Africa Think Tanks Forum opens in Ethiopia

The second China-Africa Think Tanks Forum opens in Ethiopia

Government of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

A two days 2nd China-Africa Think Tanks Forum (CATTF-II) is taking place on Friday October 12 at the town of Bishoftu, about 45 km (27.9 miles) south of Addis Ababa, to discuss and exchange views on issues of common interest including governance, peace and security.

The forum is being held under the theme “Chinese and African Common Interests: Current Issues and Future Perspectives on Governance, Peace and Security” as a follow-up event of its previous forum, which emphasized and acknowledged the need to advance the security situation in Africa.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum, Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen said Africa places great emphasis on governance, peace and security which are relevant and timely both for Africa and for China-Africa cooperation. He the forum was “pivotal to promote mutual understanding, to consolidate friendship, to present recommendations which may have a positive bearing and enhance the comprehensive cooperative relations between China and Africa”.

Lu Shaye, director of the Department of African Affairs at China’s Foreign Ministry, said China firmly supports African countries in building democracy and legal systems and increases experience-sharing on governance with African countries on an equal footing. He believed China and Africa have become important forces in safeguarding world peace and stability as they are working in closer coordination and collaboration.

He said: “Some people accuse China of seeking economic benefit from Africa while caring nothing about peace and security affairs of Africa…But, in reality, China’s commitment to the principle of non-interference can by no means be interpreted as China’s indifference to Africa’s peace and security.”

China is the biggest trade partner of Africa and the largest contributor of peacekeepers to Africa among permanent members of the UN Security Council. Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia and representative to the African Union (AU), Xie Xiaoyan, said China would continue its support and participation in peacekeeping operations in Africa.

He also expressed his country’s readiness to provide the necessary support to African countries and regional organizations for their capacity building; and reflected his hope that Sino-African cooperation would generate more achievements. During the two-day event researchers, academicians and experts discussed and exchanged views on China’s non-interference policy, its role in regional integration and peace-building, and China’s contribution to Africa’s economic and social development.

The CATTF is an initiative launched by Zhejiang Normal University (ZNU) in 2011 to create a shared platform for dialogue and exchanges between Chinese and African think tanks.

_______________________________________________________

The China Africa Think Tanks Forum  II

Bishoftu, Ethiopia on October 12-13, 2012

Addis Ababa

Population: over 3.1 million

______________________________________________________________

Video: Addis Ababa- The Ethiopia you may not know

______________________________________________________________

Bishoftu Crater Lake, Ethiopia