Golden Jubilee enhanced
Bond between Beijing and Addis Ababa to strengthen after pandemic: Exclusive with Ethiopianmbassador
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to China said he believed the China-Ethiopia partnership would strengthen after the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that China-Africa relations have always been based on mutual respect and benefit.
As for the influence of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in the country, Ambassador Teshome Toga Chanaka told the Global Times in an exclusive interview that “social distancing and other measures aimed at prevention and control of the virus might affect the timely completion but for sure the projects are working in progress.”
Ethiopia’s BRI projects include the Addis AbabaDjibouti Railway, the economic corridor, and the development of an industrial park.
“Many economic movements and other projects execution will be slowed but we hope that as soon as the situation improves implementation will be enhanced,” said the diplomat. China and Africa have been working together closely in tackling the coronavirus and “the pandemic will strengthen ChinaAfrica friendship, solidarity and cooperation in the coming times,” Chanaka said.
Cooperation amid pandemic
There are roughly 44,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases across the African continent, with Ethiopia reporting 140, according to public statistics. Experts warned the continent might face an outbreak disaster and humanitarian crises due to the fragile health care systems of several nations.
The UN and World Health Organization (WHO) warned that COVID-19 is rising in Africa and if measures could not be taken to enhance prevention and control, the damage would be severe.
“As Africa has fragile healthcare facilities, efforts should be made to enhance the continent’s capacity to investigate alerts, treat patients in isolation facilities and improve infection, ensure prevention and control of COVID-19,” the ambassador said.
Some observers questioned that compared to other developed countries and regions, the relatively fewer confirmed COVID-19 cases might not tell the whole story, as Ethiopia doesn’t have enough test kits to conduct mass testing.
In response, the Ethiopian diplomat told the Global Times their government is working relentlessly to strengthen national efforts to enhance its emergency preparedness and response through the establishment of a task force at the national and regional levels, has prepared isolation centers for detection and contact tracing with confirmed cases in and out of Addis Ababa, and deployed human resources to manage the isolation centers.
Chanaka admitted the number of infected people might increase if mass testing is employed.
The capacity is being built but has not reached the required level, he said. “We are in need of foreign assistance and philanthropic support to procure medical supplies and equipment which will be used to fight the spread of the pandemic in our country.”
According to Chanaka, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from China and Ethiopia are now actively cooperating to build a strong African public health infrastructure by sharing information, providing expertise, and expanding resources.
A team of 12 Chinese medical experts, including specialists in infectious diseases, respiratory and critical care, and public health, arrived at Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa on April 16 to assist the country in its fight against COVID-19.
Chanaka praised China’s help by sharing its resources and expertise.
Ethiopian public health authorities identified items they are in critical shortage of such as ventilators, patient monitors, suction machine, oxygen face masks, test kits, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Chanaka said the logistics are another challenge as flight services have stopped due to the outbreak. Ethiopian officials are working with pertinent Chinese government agencies to assist Ethiopia in this regard.