The increasingly close cultural exchanges between China and Ethiopia - Building a Friendship Bridge of People to People Connectivity between China and Ethiopia (China Africa Cooperation in the New Era)

Thank you for allowing me to see the light again! "A local patient expressed sincere gratitude to Chinese doctors at the Tirunash Beijing Hospital located in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The patient's name is Mohammed Hassan, 65 years old this year. He has been suffering from cataracts in his left eye for 10 years and is one of the beneficiaries of the "Bright Journey" project in Ethiopia.

In recent years, China and Ethiopia have developed rapidly in the field of health cooperation, and the two countries have also achieved fruitful results in other areas of cultural exchange and cooperation. The increasingly close cultural exchanges between China and Ethiopia have not only made important contributions to promoting people to people connectivity and deepening traditional friendship between the two countries, but also laid a solid foundation for continuously advancing the all-weather strategic partnership between China and Ethiopia.

We have learned high-level professional skills from Chinese doctors

Recently, the "Bright Journey" project in Ethiopia was successfully implemented at the Tirunash Beijing Hospital. During the more than 20 day free clinic activity, the "Bright Journey" expert team from Tianjin Ophthalmology Hospital and the 25th batch of Chinese aid medical teams to Ethiopia ensured the complete success of every cataract surgery with their superb medical skills and rich experience. The expert team also popularizes cataract prevention and treatment knowledge to local residents, conducts ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment technology exchanges with local hospitals, shares advanced technology and management experience, and contributes to improving the level of ophthalmic medical care in Ethiopia. Ethiopian ophthalmologists participated in surgeries under the guidance of Chinese experts and gained experience. Local ophthalmologist Ilikar Behanu said, "We have learned high-level professional skills from Chinese doctors

Zhang Wei, the leader of the "Bright Journey" expert group and the director of Tianjin Eye Hospital, stated that the "Bright Journey" project has screened more than 1300 patients and successfully performed over 500 cataract surgeries. During the implementation of the project, the team has won high recognition from the local government, hospitals, and patients, fully demonstrating the benevolence, skills, and professional level of Chinese medical workers. This not only effectively improves the local medical service level in Ethiopia, but also lays a solid foundation for deepening cooperation in the field of health between China and Ethiopia in the future.

Ethiopia is located on a plateau with strong ultraviolet radiation. Due to the special climate and the impact of prolonged and high-intensity sunlight, cataracts are highly prevalent in the area. Ethiopian Health Minister Mekdes stated that the "Bright Journey" project has not only helped improve the visual impairment problem of Ethiopian patients, but also enhanced the technical level of local doctors in performing ophthalmic surgeries, reflecting the expanding partnership and shared vision of cooperation between Ethiopia and China.

Created a valuable platform for local students to enhance their skills

Accurately grasp the physical object and place it in the preset space; Simulate industrial assembly line production and provide immersive and intuitive operation experience; Easily write neat and beautiful Chinese characters... Two industrial robot arms follow instructions and skillfully perform various movements. This is a scene that the reporter saw in a training room at the Luban Workshop in Ethiopia recently: a female student holding a robot teaching pendant on one side of the robot, controlling the robot arm according to the guidance of local teachers.

This female student is Kalkidan Kibret, a graduate student majoring in Electrical Automation Control at the Federal Vocational and Technical Training Institute of Ethiopia. Since her undergraduate studies, Karkidan has received training at the Luban Workshop in Ethiopia. From mechatronics equipment to industrial robots, under the guidance of Luban Workshop teachers, she is now proficient in operating them all.

The Luban Workshop in Ethiopia has created a valuable platform for local students to enhance their skills, "said Kalkidan." The development of Ethiopia cannot be separated from the application of modern technology. I am very interested in industrial robots and hope to become an expert in the field of mechatronics and industrial robotics in Ethiopia in the future

In another classroom, local teacher Maharit Tsegaye is explaining industrial robot programming to students. Maharit was one of the earliest local teachers to join the Luban Workshop in Ethiopia, experiencing the entire process from its establishment to development. Over the years, many of Maharit's students have become talents in the field of industrialization in Ethiopia. One of her students won first prize at the 2021 World Robot Competition held in Beijing and is currently pursuing a master's degree at Tianjin Vocational and Technical Normal University.

Ethiopian Minister of Labor and Skills Mufelia Kamel stated that the operation of the Luban Workshop in Ethiopia is a sign of the continued deepening of relations between Ethiopia and China. Through the exchange and cooperation of vocational education between the two countries, more and more Ethiopian youth are receiving world-class technical and vocational training. Innovation support and investment from China have not only improved the quality of Ethiopia's workforce, but also helped Ethiopia achieve sustainable development.

"Window to promote people to people and cultural exchanges between Ethiopia and China"

My hobby is traveling. What is your hobby? "" My hobby is drinking tea! "" My hobby is sports! "" My hobby is taking Chinese classes! "The weekend Chinese class at the Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University was lively.

Gao Lili, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University, introduced that the institute was established in 2013 and is jointly organized by Tianjin Vocational and Technical Normal University and Addis Ababa University. Since its establishment, the college has carried out various forms of Chinese language teaching and cultural exchange activities for Ethiopia and international organizations stationed in Ethiopia, international Chinese education master's and undergraduate degree education, and regular Chinese language training at different levels. The college also collaborates with the Ethiopian government, local large enterprises, and Chinese enterprises to organize "Chinese+Vocational" courses, serving multiple government departments or institutions such as the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and National Museum.

In recent years, the Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University has actively promoted the localization of Chinese education in the local area. It has cooperated with the Education Bureau of Oromia Region in Ethiopia to develop a local Chinese curriculum outline for middle school students, conduct local Chinese teacher training, and develop local Chinese teaching materials. Gao Lili said that in December 2023, the institute released Ethiopia's first publicly published set of local Chinese textbooks, "Hello, Chinese," providing professional Chinese teaching services to cultivate high-quality local Chinese talents, facilitate cultural exchanges between China and Ethiopia, and build a bridge of friendship between the two countries.

"At the University of Addis Ababa, many engineering and medical students also want to learn Chinese to broaden their horizons. The Confucius Institute at the University of Addis Ababa is a window to promote people to people and cultural exchanges between Ethiopia and China." Emmanuel Ayanzo, dean of the Humanities Institute at the University of Addis Ababa, told reporters.

In recent years, the development of relations between Ethiopia and China has entered the 'fast lane', and the two countries have become all-weather strategic partners. The close cooperation in politics, economy, culture and other fields continues to promote the progress of bilateral relations, "said Samuel Kovel, President of Addis Ababa University." The cooperation between Ethiopia and China in education, culture, tourism, science and technology and other cultural exchange fields is becoming increasingly close, injecting new vitality into the development of bilateral relations.

Layout Design: Wang Zheping

People's Daily (February 23, 2025, Issue 03)