"The projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises are quality benchmarks" World | Community | Enterprises
The African Union Headquarters Conference Center constructed by China Construction Ethiopia Company. Photo by Wang Chuanjun/Guangming Image
[Reporter's Connection]
"Throughout Ethiopia, there are roads, bridges, and other structures built by Chinese companies. In the capital city of Addis Ababa, the African Union Headquarters Conference Center, African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Commercial Bank Building built by Chinese companies have become landmark buildings. The projects undertaken by Chinese companies are symbols of high quality and efficiency." Mesfin Negwo, the director of the Ethiopian Construction Bureau, who oversees major projects such as infrastructure, construction, and engineering in Ethiopia, recently told reporters.
Mesfin said that although he has not been to China yet, he was influenced by Chinese ideology, culture, and other factors during his student years. "During my student years, I studied some of Mao Zedong's works, which were translated into English and Amharic. I saw from Mao Zedong's works that this Chinese leader proposed a solution to the problems faced by Chinese society at that time: relying on the Chinese people's own power to develop the economy."
Mesfin said that many Western works attempt to export "Western style democracy" to African countries, but in fact, this has not brought much change to African countries. African countries later learned from China's road, not only because China has a deep cultural heritage, but also because China's economic and social development and the ongoing Chinese path to modernization are based on China's actual conditions. On the basis of learning and learning from China, African countries such as Ethiopia also need to explore development paths and models that are suitable for themselves according to their own national conditions. "For example, in the construction industry, we have been learning and referring to China's construction industry norms and standards and other guiding documents, and then developing our own norms and standards. The rapid development of the construction industry in Ethiopia over the past few years is inseparable from China. Of course, the development of the construction industry in China in recent years has certainly undergone significant changes. If there is an opportunity to lead a delegation to visit China and exchange ideas with Chinese peers, it will be more conducive to the future development of the construction industry in Ethiopia."
When talking about Chinese companies and their projects, Mesfin gave a thumbs up and commented that the quality of the projects undertaken by Chinese companies in Ethiopia is very good. "I have inspected and supervised over 15 large-scale projects undertaken by Chinese companies, such as the new Ethiopian Commercial Bank Building. I have found that the projects undertaken by Chinese companies are not only efficient, but also of good quality. I believe that in the coming decades, the projects undertaken by Chinese companies will be the benchmark for quality." Mesfin pointed out that Chinese companies have established a quality assurance system for every construction project, and ensuring quality is the primary goal of Chinese companies. In Ethiopia, if a project is completed ahead of schedule, industry insiders will say that the project must be undertaken by a Chinese company. In addition, ensuring efficient and high-quality completion while ensuring construction safety is also one of the important missions of Chinese enterprises when undertaking projects in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian people have a good impression of China because Chinese companies carry out infrastructure construction in the local area, benefiting the local people. Chinese enterprises also have strong adaptability and are quite friendly to local communities and people. Twenty years ago, some Western contractors were active in the Ethiopian market, but after Chinese construction companies entered the Ethiopian market, their market share decreased due to their higher competitiveness compared to these Western companies.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the the Belt and Road Initiative. When talking about the impact of the "the Belt and Road" on African countries, including Ethiopia, Mesfin said that if the world were connected with the "the Belt and Road" initiative, the world would be full of brotherhood and global economic ties would be closer. Infrastructure construction is crucial for the development of the world and is also one of the foundations of economic development. Without an interconnected global infrastructure, the world is fragmented and dispersed. The "the Belt and Road" initiative connects Africa with the world, including China, and Ethiopia has benefited greatly from it. Therefore, the Ethiopian government must continue to embrace the "the Belt and Road" initiative and share the dividend of high-quality development of the "the Belt and Road" with China.
