Hold High the Banner of a Community with a Shared

 Future for Mankind and Create Together a Brighter Future

H.E. Zhao Zhiyuan

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 

President Xi Jinping delivered an important address at the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs held in Beijing from December 27 to 28, 2023. A systemic review of the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and a further advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization are one of the most important outcomes of the conference.

It was pointed out at the conference that in building a community with a shared future for mankind, the goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity, the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations, the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On this basis, we seek to bring countries together to meet challenges and achieve prosperity for all, and usher in a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world.

Given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, it was pointed out at the conference that China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

An equal and orderly multipolar world is one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations. To keep the progress toward greater multipolarity generally stable and constructive, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter must be observed by all, the universally recognized, basic norms governing international relations must be upheld by all, and true multilateralism must be practiced.

A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization is one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.

China is the largest developing country in the world. Africa is the continent with the most developing countries. China and Africa have long become a community with a shared future where our people rise and fall together. How to resolve the development deficit, address the security challenges and enhance mutual learning between different civilizations are the questions of our times faced by both China and Africa.

As a major African country with great influence, Ethiopia is one of the most important practitioners of building China-Africa community with a shared future. In the political field, both countries always lend firm support to each other on multilateral occasions for safeguarding the common interests of all developing countries and making the international order more just and reasonable. In the economic field, fruitful outcomes have been yielded from high-quality China-Ethiopia Belt and Road cooperation. The Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway with industrial parks along the line, the Addis Ababa Light Rail, and the Riverside Green Development Project have played an active role in promoting economic and social development, and improving people’s livelihood in Ethiopia. All these vividly epitomize the mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries. In the security field, both sides work together to implement the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa for realizing peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region. As all-weather strategic partners, China and Ethiopia will, as always, join hands to address global challenges and promote common development, setting a fine example in the building a community with a shared future for mankind.

For the present and coming periods, China has been following the principles of self-confidence and self-reliance, openness and inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation. Focusing on the theme of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China will always be a good friend, a good partner and a good brother that is reliable through thick and thin of Ethiopia and Africa as a whole. Together,we can deliver a brighter future.