Ethiopia energizes itself with Chinese help

Similar to those Chinese working in foreign-owned or joint ventures in China in the 1980s and 1990s, the Ethiopians holding these opportunities are delighted to have stable jobs and good wages, and say they have seen concrete improvements in their lives with the completion of such projects.

While recognizing the importance of these efforts in helping land-locked Ethiopians lift themselves out of poverty, I was especially interested to hear of the country's ambition to become a leader in green energy on the continent.

For the wind power expansion in Ethiopia, China is willing to help construct a wind farm base for Ethiopia, which if realized means Ethiopia will be able to export electricity to neighbors in exchange of foreign reserves, which are badly needed to satisfy the demand for imports in this country, which is landlocked and short of resources.

Beyond this, China is considering the request to localize the technology chain for wind power in Ethiopia. If so, Ethiopia will improve its know-how, which will help it construct more wind farms by itself or even export the technology to other African countries. Then Ethiopia will be well on the way to acquiring the title of green energy leader.

Western countries like to label themselves as the leaders in developing green energy. But it is China that is offering tremendous assistance and practices for African countries, which are still in a period of economic takeoff.

On different occasions, Chinese leaders have stated that they want to cooperate with third parties to improve the welfare of Africans and realize their dreams of becoming better and stronger. Instead of casting aspersions at China's engagement with Africa, the West should join hands with China to realize the green energy ambitions of Ethiopia and the whole of Africa.

The author is China Daily's chief correspondent in Brussels. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/12/2014 page8)