SASAC Chairman XIAO Yaqing has visited Ethiopia from October 18 to 20, 2018. During his trip, he met with CREC President ZHANG Zongyan, Vice President REN Hongpeng and other leaders of China’s SOEs working in Ethiopia. He also visited and experienced two major projects constructed by CREC, namely, Addis Ababa – Djibouti Railway and Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit. TAN Jian, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, was also presented along with staff of SASAC. 

On October 18, XIAO Yaqing, Chairman of SASAC, hosted a meeting for China’s central SOEs working in Ethiopia at the Chinese Embassy. President ZHANG, on behalf of CREC, briefed SASAC on the cooperation between CREC and African partners, business in Ethiopian market and future plans.

Meeting for China’s Central SOEs in Ethiopia

XIAO noted that central SOEs must adhere to XI Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and act with firm resolve to implement the guiding principles of the keynote speech delivered by President XI at the Beijing Summit of FOCAC. Central SOEs should, implement the new plans and measures for deepening and solidifying China-Africa cooperation and play a leading role in advancing the cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and forge an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future. 

XIAO stressed that when doing business in Africa, Central SOEs should wisely and strategically plan for win-win cooperation and synergy, adhere to the principal of quality first and provide world-class service, carry out strict, detailed and practical measures in the implementation and operation of the projects, and actively fulfill social responsibilities and make contributions to promote local economic and social progress and people’s livelihood.

Ambassador TAN Jian stressed that, facing the full-scale reform of the political structure in Ethiopia, Chinese enterprises in Ethiopia should thoroughly understand and implement the guiding principles of Xi Jinping’s speech on FOCAC， set up internal cooperation mechanisms for better synergy， and actively participate in the infrastructure construction in Ethiopia through the integrated invest – build – operate mode. 

XIAO Yaqing Taking the Addis Ababa – Djibouti Train Accompanied by ZHANG Zongyan

On October 19th, Chairman XIAO and Ambassador TAN inspected the dispatch center at Labu Station of the Addis Ababa – Djibouti Railway and took the train from Labu to Adama. On the way, President ZHANG briefed them about works done by CREC during the construction and operation of this project. Later on the same day, XIAO and TAN inspected Kaliti Depot of Addis Ababa LRT and experienced the light rail while listening to President ZHANG giving them an update on the operation, maintenance and local staff training of this project. 

XIAO Yaqing Taking the Addis Ababa LRT Accompanied by ZHANG Zongyan

During his stay in Ethiopia, President ZHANG also meets with Ethiopia’s State Minister of Transport, Commissioner of National Planning Commission, Acting CEO of Ethiopian Railway Corporation, and exchanged views on CREC’s market performance and future cooperation in Ethiopia.