[China and Eritrea]
In 2010, the friendly and cooperative relations between the People's Republic of China and the State of Eritrea enjoyed healthy and sound development.
The two countries maintained friendly exchanges. From 27 to 29 August, Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun visited Eritrea. He met with President Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea and held talks with the Head of Political Affairs of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) Yemane Ghebreab, Head of Economic Affairs of PFDJ Hagos Ghebrehiwet and Foreign Minister Osman Saleh. The two sides signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the State of Eritrea. Mr. Yemane of the PFDJ led a study group to China. A number of officials from Eritrea attended conferences in China, including Minister of Justice Fawzia Hashim, Minister of Trade and Industry Estifanos Habte, Minister of National Development Giorgis Teklemichael and Minister of Energy and Mines Ahmed Haj Ali.
In April, after the earthquake in Yushu of Qinghai Province, President Isaias sent a letter of condolences to President Hu Jintao. The Eritrean government donated US$10,000 to the Chinese government.
Bilateral economic cooperation and trade continued to strengthen. In July, President of the Export-Import Bank of China Li Ruogu visited Eritrea. The two sides signed an agreement on a list of conditions for loans to the second phase of Bisha gold mine. China Road and Bridge Corporation signed with the Eritrean side an MOU on Assab Port cooperation. The College of Arts and Social Science in Adi Keyh, the second whole-set project with Chinese assistance was successfully handed over to Eritrea. The projects of supply and maintenance of THSCAN Container / Vehicle Inspection System, THSCAN X-ray Baggage Inspection Systems and the Masawa cement factory were making steady progress.
People-to-people and cultural exchanges continued to increase. The first motion picture delegation from China visited Eritrea and attended the Fourth China Film Week held by the Chinese Embassy in Eritrea. An expert group from the Ministry of Agriculture visited Eritrea and the second Chinese language teacher arrived in Eritrea. In May, Eritrean Minister of Tourism Askalu Menkerios attended the National Pavilion Day of Eritrea at the Shanghai Expo. In October, Governor of Zoba Maekel Kahsai Ghebrehiwet attended the Eleventh Western China International Fair.
Editor:Yaling
