BBC:African Union opens Chinese-funded HQ in Ethiopia

[xizhimen]

BBC:African Union opens Chinese-funded HQ in Ethiopia
The new African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa The building in Addis is seen as a symbol of China's new role in Africa

28 January 2012 Last updated at 15:55 GMT

The African Union has inaugurated its newly built headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The entire $200m (£127m) project was funded by China as a gift to the AU, as Beijing continues to strengthen its influence in Africa.

In front of African leaders a huge golden key was handed over and the 100m high building was officially opened.

The tower overlooks a vast conference centre where African heads of state are expected to meet for years to come.

Their first AU summit in the building will take place on Sunday.

China's most senior political adviser, Jia Qinglin, attended the opening of the new headquarters.

"The towering complex speaks volumes about our friendship to the African people, and testifies to our strong resolve to support African development," he said, according to AFP.

The AU chairman, Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, said the complex was "a reflection of the new Africa," the agency reports.

The new AU building dominates the skyline of Addis Ababa and is the city's tallest building.

Most of the materials used were imported from China and even the furnishings were paid for by Beijing, AFP news agency reports.

Construction began in January 2009 and involved 1,200 Chinese and Ethiopian workers.

The project co-ordinator, Fantalum Michael, says the new building signifies China's growing friendship with Africa.

"It's a testimony that this relationship will continue in the future," he told AFP.
Thriving relationship

Trade between China and Africa has increased more than six-fold during the past decade to $120bn (£76bn) in 2011.

China is interested in Africa's natural resources and in return is investing huge sums in African infrastructure.

Roads are being built by Chinese firms at a staggering rate, says the BBC's Will Ross in Addis Ababa.

While other rich nations impose conditions before aid is given, China's relationship with African countries is strictly a business one, he says.

Human rights groups have criticised China for undermining efforts by western countries to link aid to improvements in governance.

However African leaders have welcomed the Chinese approach and have embraced investment from Beijing.

In Ethiopia, many jobs have been created through Chinese-funded projects.

Chinese cars are being made in Ethiopian factories and China is also building a light railway across Addis Ababa.

BBC News - African Union opens Chinese-funded HQ in Ethiopia

 

[xizhimen]

PIC 3. THE US200 MILLION DOLLARS NEW AU HEADQUARTERS IN ADDIS ABABA DONATED BY CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND INAUGURATED DURING THE 18TH AU SUMMIT ON SATURDAY (28/01/12).

 

[xizhimen]

a very expensive gift indeed.

African Union (AU) inaugurates $200m Headquarters, donated by China.
Posted by Chiagozie in Home » News, World news on January 28, 2012 -

The African Union inaugurated on Saturday its new high-rise headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa – built and donated by China at a cost of $200m.

“The towering complex speaks volumes about our friendship to the African people, and testifies to our strong resolve to support African development,” said Jia Qinglin, chairperson of China’s political advisory body, the People’s Political Consultative Conference.

The sleek edifice – Addis Ababa’s tallest – will host the African Union summit which gathers African heads of state.

“This complex is a reflection of the new Africa,” said African Union chair, Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema at the opening ceremony. “This is a highly significant event in the life of our organisation.”

The building, which towers above the Ethiopian capital, was opened ahead of the start on Sunday of the pan-African body’s 18th ordinary summit, a bold symbol of China’s rapidly changing role in Africa.

Construction was wholly funded by the Chinese government, with even the furnishings paid for by the Asian powerhouse, and most of the construction material was imported from China.

Fluttering red flags emblazoned with the slogan “Peace, Development, Co-operation” were set up around the centre, a reference to Beijing’s efforts to develop a strategic China-Africa partnership.

“China, its amazing re-emergence and its commitment to win partnership is one of the reasons for the beginning of the African renaissance,” said Ethiopian President Meles Zenawi.

Construction of the new headquarters kicked off in January 2009, and a team of up to 1 200 Chinese and Ethiopian workers laboured around the clock in two or three shifts to finish it on schedule.

The site boasts three conference centres, a helipad and office space for 700 people.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Awesome news.

It is always good to see more cooperation between China and Africa.

 

[KRAIT]

China is acting smartly. Not only they will win hearts, they will easily tap african resources. Win-Win for both China and African countries. US should take a leaf from them.

 

[Tshering22]

China is acting smartly. Not only they will win hearts, they will easily tap african resources. Win-Win for both China and African countries. US should take a leaf from them.

Why are you talking about US? Talk about us. We're already present but .. maan! Chinese have learnt some really good architecture and mastered it! We need to adopt some of those techniques from Japan and Korea too.

 

[nomi007]

this shows chinese interest in africa

 

[fly2012]

a very expensive gift indeed.

It is. But at least some Africans benefit from it. It is much better than buying useless t-bond and wait for its depreciation.