Xiplomacy: How close people-to-people bond consolidates cooperation between China, Eritrea

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President Isaias Afwerki of the State of Eritrea at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2023. [Xinhua, Ju Peng]

With solid public support for cooperation, the two countries have been lending a helping hand to each other in times of crisis. In 2008, an 8-magnitude earthquake devastated China's southwestern province of Sichuan, causing heavy casualties and huge property loss. The Eritrean government and people offered their help to China soon after the disaster occurred.

In April, the Chinese government decided to evacuate its citizens from Sudan after a conflict broke out in the Northeast African country. The government of Eritrea, bordering Sudan to the north, provided transportation and accommodation for Chinese fleeing the conflict before they returned home.

"Many Eritrean people will wave their hands and extend their warm greetings when they see the Chinese national flag and Chinese people," said Cai Ge, Chinese ambassador to Eritrea. "It shows that the friendship between the two countries is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people."

Building a bridge of friendship

It has been 26 years since China sent its first medical team to Eritrea as part of health cooperation between the two countries. Nearly 300 Chinese doctors have worked in the African country.

At Orotta Hospital in downtown Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, 33-year-old Dr. Selam Kidane Woldu has been working with Chinese doctors to provide outpatient care for half a year. She was deeply impressed by their professionalism and dedication to patients.

"The Chinese doctors usually see many patients every day, and many times they have to return to the hospital for emergencies after work," Woldu said.

"Looking into their eyes, I can see that they really care about the patients, which is the most admirable thing to me. They have won the trust of local patients," she added.

The China-built Orotta Hospital is one of the largest and best-equipped hospitals in Eritrea after it was put into use in 2003. A total of 18 Chinese doctors are working there.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President Isaias Afwerki of the State of Eritrea at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2023. Xi held talks with Isaias, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Monday. [Xinhua, Ju Peng]

After being planted for one year, the apple trees from across the ocean are growing well, and the improved local tree species have begun to bear fruit. Nearby, in a demonstration field of beans and oil crops, broad beans, red kidney beans and oilseed rape have been harvested, with unit yields increasing by more than 50 percent compared with local varieties.

After years of conflicts, all industries in Eritrea are waiting for recovery and prosperity. "In any developing country, for people to get out of poverty, it starts from agriculture," Eritrean Minister of Agriculture Arefaine Berhe said. "China's experience is fantastic, and it is very relevant to us."

In addition, Chinese enterprises have been actively participating in the fields of electricity, telecommunications, mining and infrastructure construction in Eritrea. In 2022, the bilateral trade volume between China and Eritrea reached 610 million U.S. dollars, up 32.2 percent year-on-year.

"China, in terms of infrastructure and industrialization, can offer us development opportunities. And of course, in terms of trade and investment, China is a great reliable partner for Eritrea. So, I think it is win-win cooperation for both countries," said Dr. Fikrejusus Amahazion, an Eritrean scholar focusing on African development and political economy.

During his meeting with Afwerki in mid-May, the Chinese president underlined China's commitment to forging closer ties with Eritrea and other African countries. "Africa is a promising land. Under the new circumstances, it is more important than ever for China and Africa to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to overcome difficulties together," Xi said.

China is ready to work with Africa to carry forward traditional friendships, consolidate strategic mutual trust, create new opportunities for Africa with China's high-quality development and modernization, deepen practical cooperation with Africa, and build an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future, Xi said.

Talking about the vision of building the China-Africa community with a shared future and a community with a shared future for mankind, Berhe said: "It is an excellent vision. It is a vision that we share, because it benefits the entire humanity."