China is on the wrong track in Sino-Ethiopian relations
Message to the People’s Republic of China (PRC)
By Aye ZiGuo*
April 10, 2006 — Sino-Ethiopian diplomatic relation was officially established in 1971 during the time of the late Emperor Haile Selassie I. Since then, relations progressed at tortoise speed reaching its climax towards the end of the 90’s. Over the years, China assisted Ethiopia in constructing the Wereta-Woldia road, rehabilitating the Addis Ababa-BiharDar highway, building the ring road in Addis Ababa and in the area of public health. There are also cultural, scientific and educational exchanges between the two countries.
China’s ability to feed and shelter one fifth of humanity is a source of inspiration for Ethiopians. Agronomists, policy makers and politicians made efforts to emulate China’s agricultural reform experience. Achievements in the fields of medicine, infrastructure, social and industrial development captivated planners and policy-makers in Ethiopia. Many tried to draw lessons from the commonalities and differences of the two cradles of civilization. A vivid commonality and civilization manifested in the ancient engineering skills of the Great Wall of China and the Axum Obelisks. Both countries have unique calendars and alphabets of their own.
Both in China and in Ethiopia over 80%of the populations live in rural areas on subsistence agriculture. The two countries underwent years’ of turmoil to change their feudal systems. Consequently, they paid dearly during the Cultural Revolution and the Red Terror. For years they struggled for their territorial integrity: China for 57 years trying to reunite Taiwan and Ethiopia for 30 years to keep Eritrea. Before 1949, famine was a common occurrence in China as it is now in Ethiopia. In the 90’s both started to be guided by a revolutionary democratic theory. As a result China suppressed pro-democracy movements with tanks in Tiananmen Square in 1989, and Ethiopia with live bullets at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa in 2005. Both governments have committed democide. Nonetheless, amidst these commonalities staggering differences exist.
Socialism with Chinese characteristics guided by revolutionary democracy transformed the social, economic and political landscape by creating unity in diversity among Chinese. In Ethiopia, however, it is disintegrating into ethnic enclaves at the hands of the Tigrian People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). China drew lessons from history to safeguard its territorial integrity and to restore Chinese pride. Territories under colonialism (Hong Kong and Macao) were liberated and reunited with the motherland.
China’s economy is growing at 9% per annum since 1980. This unprecedented growth is transforming a backward agrarian economy to a modern mix of social and market oriented economy. Life expectancy rose from 45 years in 1949 to 70 in 2005. Adult literacy level is as high as 90.9%. Population living below$1 a day is 16.1%in China and 81.9%in Ethiopia (1990-2001). In 2003 China received US $1,324.6 million dollars ($1percapita) in Official Development Assistance, and Ethiopia received US $1,504.4 million ($ 21.9 per capita) . Ethiopia’s economy is exceedingly dependent on external aid while that of China remains largely independent. NowChina, once an extremely poor nation, is the second-largest economy in the world after the US
China’s rise as a powerful country has sent shock waves across the globe. It has regained her stature as a leading nation of ancient civilization. Red China has risen from 30 years of communist hibernation while Ethiopia under the EPRDF is in the doldrums of regression.
The EPRDF failed to learn from its past and present mistakes. Ethiopia’s territorial integrity has been compromised since the secession of tiny Eritrea, which was orchestrated by the Meles Zenawi regime in 1993, making Ethiopia a landlocked country of 77 million people. Bademe is de facto awarded to Eritrea, after 70,000 Ethiopians scarified Their lives in defense of this territory. Poverty is increasing at geometric rates with unemployment reaching a record high of 50%. Illiteracy, disease, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition and famine have compounded. Life expectancy has fallen. From 52 to 48. GDP per capita of China rose from $225 in 1975 to $6,200 in 2005. Ethiopia’s GDP percapita rose from $400 to $800 putting Ethiopia in the category of the poorest of the poor in the world. A nation mentioned 41 times in the Bible, a symbol of African freedom and independence, and home to the first Homo sapiens has become a Thesaurus to define the words famine and poverty in schools of N. America and China.
Ethiopians view China as an example of development. In the eyes of many Ethiopians, Chinese are industrious, courteous, and principled people who don’t meddle in the internal affairs of nations. These characteristics were demonstrated during the Woreta-Woldia road construction project when they worked closely with their hospitable Ethiopian colleagues. Many Chinese sacrificed their lives on the dangerously steep terrain while doing survey work. This spirit of cooperation was viewed by many as a positive gesture guided by the ideals of the non-aligned movement and 3rd world solidarity. Since China is considered as an important partner in int’l development cooperation, Ethiopians take genuine interest to understand the miracles of economic growth in China.
Taking advantage of its current economic success, China is aggressively looking for markets for its industrial, military and agricultural products. Its voracious appetite for energy and raw materials to feed the demands of the booming economy is on the rise. Hence, China’s diplomacy can win the hearts and minds of 3rd world countries through mutually beneficial investment. China is now involved in Ethiopia primarily in highway and dam construction, oil exploration and sales of military hardware. During the 1998 Ethio-Eritrea war China sold both to Ethiopia and Eritrea, an estimated $1 billion worth of weapons, an exorbitant sum for the two poorest countries.
Since the EPRDF took power in Addis Ababa in 1991, Beijing has changed the rule of engagement with Ethiopia. The late Chairman Mao and Chou En-Lai vehemently opposed the dismemberment of Ethiopia. Whereas the new rulers of China moved swiftly to recognize Eritrea’s independence while vehemently defending China’s claim over Formosa. Soon after the May 15, 2005 national election in Ethiopia, Beijing was quick to accept the premature and self declared victory of the EPRDF. Regrettably, the CPC also failed to denounce the brutal suppression of democracy, killings and imprisonment of opposition leaders and innocent civilians including children by the EPRDF regime. These acts led most Ethiopians to believe that China condoned democide.
Beijing must understand that justice; genuine democracy and good governance are of paramount importance to Ethiopians. As Mao was determined to change the feudal system of governance and Deng Xiaoping to democratize the CPC, Ethiopians are also determined to change totalitarianism in their country. China’s policy towards Ethiopia must not infringe upon the rights and wellbeing of the people. Working against the interests and aspirations of the people of Ethiopia will not help the long-term cooperation between the two countries and peoples. China needs to draw lessons from the failures of the double standards of some industrialized nations towards developing countries, especially countries in Africa. It is incumbent upon China to be a genuine development partner and peace maker in Ethiopia. Siding with the rogue regimes like those of Zenawi and Mugabe will not be in the interest of China and African countries. If Beijing sees Ethiopia only as a dumping ground for military hardware and heavily subsidized manufactured goods, and for mere exploitation of the natural resources, then the self-inflicted damage will have incalculable consequences on Sino-Ethiopian relations and development cooperation.
As the acceptance of some western powers is diminishing in Ethiopia, China’s race to rescue Zenawi and his infamous EPRDF cannot be a viable proposition. The Black Cat or White Cat: If it can catch mice, it’s a good cat policy won’t work in Ethiopia, and it is bad policy for lasting Sino-Ethiopian relations. Ethiopians are not interested in replacing white cats with black or yellow cats. They are totally against anyone who stands in their way when they are struggling for justice, freedom, the respect for their basic rights, democracy, good governance and self-reliance. If china’s ambition is simply to fill a possible vacuum created by some powers without regard to the industrious and freedom-loving Ethiopians, then the government of China will have only itself to blame for any failure in the much needed development cooperation between the two countries.
It is hoped and believed that China is fully aware of the serious danger of continuing to invest on Zenawi and his discredited regime to the detriment of the people of Ethiopia. However, the growing evidence that demonstrates CPC’s association with the EPRDF in a bid to take advantage of the current unfortunate situation is highly disconcerting to Ethiopians and their genuine friends. There should be no mistake about the fact that Ethiopians are vehemently against replacing one cat with another cat of the same behaviour. To think that a foreign country can prosper at the expense of the people of Ethiopia is a misguided policy. Ethiopians know full well that any opportunistic behaviour is a conspiracy against their security and the democratic evolution of their country. Hence, China is advised to adhere to its former principled stand of the non-aligned policy, and to the time-tested values of 3rd world partnership for mutual benefit. Mahatma Gandhi in his “seven blunders of society” said that: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity and worship without sacrifices will lead to the destruction of society. China seems to be committing these blunders in Ethiopia. By aligning with the rogue regime of Meles Zenawi, China is on the wrong track in Sino-Ethiopian relations.
Finally, the EPRDF will soon follow the footsteps of Charles Taylor, Idi Amin Dada, Mengistu Haile Mariam, Nicolai Chausesku, Sadam Hussien and Slobodan Milosevic. Hence, it is time for the PRC to show genuine solidarity with the people of Ethiopia and not with a disgraceful tyrant Melese Zenwai. More importantly, China should do some soul searching to understand the serious dangers of standing against the interests and wellbeing of the Ethiopian people or “Zhu Yi Zhong Guo”.
* The writer is an economist who is interested on international affairs particularly on Ethiopia. He resides in Canada. He can be reached at [email protected]