China will continue its support to Ethiopia's education sector: Ambassador

China is committed to continually supporting the education sector and human resource development in Ethiopia, said La Yifan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia on Wednesday.

The Ethio-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, a group of Chinese business community in the East African country, donated education items to two primary schools, namely Abay Primary School and Bole Ethio-China Friendship School in Addis Ababa.

Speaking at the donation ceremony at Abay Primary School, La reiterated that the Ethio-China cooperation covers varied sectors including education and human resource development, which he said is crucial for cooperation on other sectors to flourish.

Hailing the Ethiopian Government's endeavor in the education sector, the ambassador noted that China always supports the government's efforts in the sector.

"In recent years, the Ethiopian Government has been investing heavily in education; and that is the right approach because education is critical in training the human resources," said the ambassador. "For that reason the Chinese government, we always support the efforts made by the Ethiopian government and of course what we are doing is only a modest support, the large portion has been done by the Ethiopian government."

The ambassador also noted that his embassy always encourages Chinese business people in Ethiopia to continue support to the socio-economic life here in the country.

He said China would continue to support Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular in education and human resource development by building schools and providing material assistance.

"And for that reason the Chinese Government has decided to donate schools across the African continent. This Abay Primary school is one of the schools that have been donated by the Chinese Government," said La.

Recalling that Chinese President Xi Jinping has made major announcements few days back to support Africa in socio-economic development at the summit of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg, South Africa, the ambassador said Ethiopia would be one of the beneficiaries of the outcomes of the summit.

Dilamo Otore, Head of the Addis Ababa Education Bureau, said the Ethio-China cooperation and mutual support are continually deepening in different sectors, including education.

Dilamo noted that China's support in the education sector makes great contribution to deepening the Ethio-China relations and also friendship and understanding between the two peoples.

Stating that Ethiopia and China have many similarities in terms of education system and development programs, Dilamo has commended the Chinese government and its people for the support to Ethiopia's effort in education sector.

"During our diplomatic relationship, the two countries have established comprehensive strategic partnership; and their peoples' friendship, cooperation and mutual supports are continually deepening, especially in the regards of assistance to the education programs," he said. "Therefore, we can say that this Chinese development partner's donation experience set a good example for other international aiding communities in Ethiopia."

Speaking on the occasion, Zhou Yongsheng, President of the Ethio-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, expressed commitment of the Chinese business community in Ethiopia to continue providing support in the country's education sector.

"I hope our efforts could help the students in your pursuit of knowledge. I hope all the students in both schools could work even harder to strengthen your capabilities for a more prosperous Ethiopia and contribute to the country's economic and social development as a backbone in the Growth and Transformation Plan," he said.

Representing students of Abay Primary School, Mahlet Leulseged, a grade 8 student, and Elias Bekele, a grade 7 student, thanked the Chinese Embassy and the companies for the donation and support to their education.

The students told Xinhua that they are very happy about the donation from the Chinese in education sector. Endit