China Envisages Consolidating Public Diplomacy with Africa: Ambassador

September 10, 2023

ADDIS ABABA – China has expressed its plan to consolidate public diplomacy with Africa as the country commemorated the 60th Anniversary of OAU/AU and the African Union Day with various theatrical performances.

During the event held on last Friday at the AU Headquarters, Head of Mission of China to the African Union Ambassador Hu Changchun said that his country is ready to work closely with Africa to consolidate mutual learning and enhance people-to￾people bond as well as all-round exchanges.

This comes after the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping on March this year to advocate respecting the diversity of world civilizations, promoting the common values of mankind, appreciating the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, he stated.

According to the Ambassador, the cooperation between Africa and China has seen gaining momentum in recent years availing fruitful results in various fields thanks to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative that have strengthened people-to-people relations and cultural exchanges.

For him, China and Africa are cradles of civilization with time-honored history, culture and splendid artistic heritages.Mentioning the Great Wall and the ancient pyramids of Egypt from ancient history of the two partners, the Ambassador noted that the cultural relations mainly the vibrant African dances and Chinese operas complemented each other.

“Our civilizations have played an irreplaceable role in flourishing human development and the world,” Ambassador Changchun said. He believed that Agenda 2063 leads the

African integration to promote economic revitalization and cultural prosperity.

On the occasion, Chinese artists from the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Center have presented theatrical performance which is described by the Ambassador as “a wonderful show.”

The artists performed folk art and traditional opera performances to their audience at the African Union amphitheater.

BY YOHANES JEMANEH