ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China and Ethiopia on Thursday signed agreement that China will provide 50 million RMB (about 7.93 million U.S. dollars) for emergency food aid to Ethiopia.
Qian Keming, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, and Abdulaziz Mohammed, Ethiopian Minister of Finance and Economic Cooperation, have signed the agreement at ceremony held in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
China's latest assistance has come in response of Ethiopian government announcement to support drought victims in certain areas of the East African country.
Climate change, which is a global phenomenon occurred as a result of what is called "El Nino" has affected several districts in south and eastern part of Ethiopia, said Abdulaziz after signing the agreement.
"Following the incident, the government of Ethiopia responded and distributed food and other associated supports from national reserves to the affected areas; as a result many casualties have been remedied," noted the Minister.
"However, the drought incident took longer time, hence we are obliged to announce to the international community to help us in curbing the humanitarian crisis and the exchange of letter we have signed today is in response to our plea," stated the Minister.
The Minister commended the people and government of China for the quick response to the current situation in Ethiopia and for the ever increasing development assistance provided to date to support Ethiopia's development efforts.
"Ethiopia attaches high value to the Chinese government's immediate response to the current situation and hence, China is discharging its global obligation to address humanitarian problems," he said.
Qian Keming, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, noted on the occasion that China stands by the side of Ethiopia during the current situation.
"The El Nino and climate change is beyond our control but I believe our friendship will contribute and play a positive role," said the Vice Minister.
He noted the efforts made by government and people of Ethiopia to address the problem.
Qian is leading a Chinese business delegation to Ethiopia for a four-day visit here, whereby he is expected to meet with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia and senior government officials among others to discuss issues related to common interest of China and Ethiopia.
While attending the 70th anniversary of the Victory Day and Military Parade in China, Prime Minister Hailemariam met and held discussions with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on various issues, recalled the Vice Minister.
He also recalled that the leaders of the two countries reached agreement of cooperation on various fields.
Qian stated that he had fruitful discussion with the Ethiopian Finance and Economic Cooperation on the implementation of the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries.
He also expressed China's readiness to strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia as the East African country implements its second growth and transformation plan (GTP II).
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/
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