Eritrea Wire

On July one this year, China will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. On this occasion, our Q&A column had the honor of interviewing the Ambassador of the Peoples’ Republic of China to Eritrea, H.E. Cai Ge.

Q: The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. What major historic contributions has the Communist Party of China made to China and the rest of the world?

A: July 1 of 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Over the past 100 years, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the Chinese people through the arduous struggle to achieve a leapfrog from standing up, getting rich to becoming strong. China is now the second-largest economy and the largest industrial country in the world. More than 800 million Chinese citizens have been lifted out of poverty. The average life expectancy has increased from 35 to 77 years old. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has created two major economic developments and long-term social stability.

China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order. China is the second-largest fund contributor to the UN peacekeeping operations and has the largest number of peacekeepers among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Over the years, China, with 30% contribution to global economic growth, has become the main engine for world economic growth and has brought unprecedented opportunities to world development. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, China is the first major economy to achieve growth. It is predicted that China’s economic growth will reach 8.3% this year. This is an important contribution to promoting the rapid recovery of the world economy.

China has made a great contribution to the global anti-pandemic cause by supplying medical assistance to more than 150 countries and some international organizations and has provided vaccine assistance to more than 80 countries. Furthermore, China has exported vaccines to over 40 countries, with a total of 350 million doses of vaccines to the international community.

With more than 800 million people lifted out of poverty, China has achieved the poverty alleviation goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule, contributing more than 70% to the world’s poverty reduction. China has established and improved the world’s largest education, social security, and medical system, which can be called a great human rights project and the best human rights practice. China has made important contributions to the cause of human rights in the world.

In terms of addressing climate change, China has also actively fulfilled its commitments, China’s carbon emission intensity per unit GDP in 2018 decreased by 45.8% compared with that in 2005. President Xi Jinping announced last year that China will strive to achieve a carbon peak by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

Q: On the occasion of the 100th anniversary, what development programs have the Communist Party of China charted out?

A: In order to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the Communist Party of China has established“Two Centenary Goals”. The first is to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects on the 100th anniversary of CPC. In this respect, the Communist Party of China has fulfilled its solemn commitment to the people.

The second Centenary Goal will be achieved by 2049, the year of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and it will be realized in two steps: by the year 2035, basically realizing socialist modernization; from the year 2035 to the middle of 21st century, to build China into a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful socialist modern country. At that time, China’s material civilization, political civilization, spiritual civilization, social civilization, and ecological civilization will be comprehensively improved. China will become a leading country in terms of comprehensive national strength and international influence. The common prosperity of all people will be basically realized.

The Communist Party of China is fully confident and capable of uniting and leading the Chinese people to continue to create new development miracles and realize the blueprint for future development. China will create a broader space for all countries in the world to share China’s opportunities, achieve win-win results and common development.

Q.As a major political party that has been thriving for 100 years, what is the key attributes of the Communist Party of China?

A: Over the past 100 years, the Communist Party of China has grown from more than 50 people when it was founded to the world’s largest party with more than 91 million Party members, creating “the greatest political miracle on earth”.

The most important magic weapons are: First, the Communist Party of China adheres to the combination of Marxist theory with the practice of Chinese revolution and construction, finds a path suitable for China’s development. The Chinese people are full of confidence in the path, theoretical system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Second, the Communist Party of China adheres to the people-centered position to serve the people wholeheartedly and lead the people to work together. The Communist Party of China gets full support from the people. According to many polls, more than 90% of the Chinese people are satisfied with the government under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

Third, the Communist Party of China attaches great importance to the party’s self-construction, emphasizing that the party should manage itself and strictly govern itself to ensure the Party’s advanced nature, purity, and combat effectiveness, and consolidate the foundation of the Party’s ruling.

Q: How do you view the world situation today?

A: In nowadays’ world, there is the overlapping impact of major changes and global pandemic unseen in a century. Unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonism are rampant. Human beings are facing a variety of non-traditional security threats, such as climate change, environmental pollution, and epidemic diseases. International order and world peace are facing severe challenges.

China firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law firmly upholds the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and firmly upholds genuine multilateralism of mutual equality and win-win cooperation. China’s diplomacy has always adhered to the principle of equality whatever big or small countries. China opposes power politics, sanctions, and threats of sanctions, and opposes arbitrary interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the excuses of so-called human rights issues.

Human beings live on this very earth, no country can face the challenges alone. The only way to deal with global problems is to build a community of shared futures for all mankind. All countries in the world should strengthen unity and cooperation, take the road of peaceful development, jointly promote the construction of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation, and build a world of lasting peace, common security, common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, cleanness, and beauty.

Q: How do you evaluate the importance and key role of the Chinese government in the African continent, especially in the Horn of Africa?

A: China and Africa are good friends, partners, and brothers. Strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries is the unchanging priority of China’s diplomacy. China and African countries support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns. The cooperative achievements between China and Africa can be seen everywhere in Africa. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative has made significant contributions to the local development and the improvement of people’s lives. China has built more than 6000 kilometers of railways, 6000 kilometers of roads, nearly 20 ports, and more than 80 large-scale power facilities in Africa. China has assisted in the construction of more than 130 medical facilities, 45 gymnasiums, and more than 170 schools. China has sent 21,000 members of the medical team to 48 African countries and treated about 220 million African patients. China is a constructive participant in African peace and security affairs and has sent the largest number of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. We support Africa in its effort to solve African problems independently.

After the outbreak of the pandemic, China and Africa helped each other and united to fight against COVID-19. Not long ago, China and African jointly launched the “Initiative on Partnership for Africa’s Development”. China has never attached political conditions to its corporation or aid to Africa, let alone interfering in Africa’s internal affairs.

China and the countries in the horn of Africa are good friends. China pays close attention to the situation in the horn of Africa and sincerely hopes that lasting peace and stability can be maintained in the region so as to realize regional integration and development. China opposes interfering in regional affairs and other countries’ internal affairs under the excuses of “human rights” and “democracy”. China opposes the implementation of sanctions or the threat of sanctions. China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace, stability, and development in the Horn of Africa.

Q: On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 30th anniversary of Eritrean independence, how do you assess the strong and long relations between the People’s Republic of China and Eritrea?

A: China and Eritrea have a profound traditional friendship. This friendship was established in the process of striving for national independence and liberation, national development, and construction. Nowadays, our friendship is even stronger than before. China and Eritrea have always treated each other with respect and equality. We trust each other in politics, support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns, and jointly safeguard the interests of both sides and international fairness and justice. The Communist Party of China CPC)and People’s Front for Democracy and Justice(PFDJ) maintain communications and exchanges of experience in governance. The cooperation between our two sides in infrastructure construction, education, agriculture, health care, human resources, mining, and other fields is fruitful. Projects of friendly cooperation between our two sides can be seen in the capital-Asmara and other cities. During the pandemic, bilateral cooperation has not interrupted and moved forward. For example, the Chinese medical team to Eritrea sticks to their posts together with the Eritrean colleagues in hospitals to help treat the patients. The Chinese Embassy in Eritrea holds two online training courses or seminars every month on average.

On the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, China’s development has entered a new stage. The 30th anniversary of Eritrean independence also ushers in new opportunities for national development. The top leaders of the two Parties have sent congratulatory letters to each other, expressing that they attach great importance to the in-depth development of friendly and cooperative relations between our two countries. Eritrea stressed that infrastructure, energy, transportation, agriculture, health care, and human resources are the key development areas of Eritrea. China has advantages in the above areas. The two sides have obvious complementary advantages and a solid foundation for cooperation. China is willing to expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in accordance with the needs of Eritrea and make due contributions to the development of Eritrea and the improvement of Eritrean living standards. Meanwhile, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC) and The Belt and Road Initiative(B&R) have provided new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. In one word, the prospect of deepening cooperation between China and Eritrea is very broad, which will surely yield more fruitful results and further benefit the two peoples. The Chinese Embassy in Eritrea and I will do our best to promote friendly cooperation between our two countries and deepen the friendship between our two peoples.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

“We remember you so esteemed martyrs

Flashing before us are your unforgettable pictures

Sparking like glowing stars in the open skies

Their death has emboldened our hearts

Their faith has enriched our minds

Their wisdom has invigorated our souls

Forever glued are they in our thoughts”

June 20 is Mealti Swuat, Yaum-e-Shuhda, Martyrs Day of Eritrea. Eritreans at home and abroad solemnly commemorate their Martyrs Day on 19th June with candle light vigil everywhere they live. Memorial services are held at churches and mosques in memory of the fallen heroes who paid their precious lives in the struggle for independence and to safeguard the national sovereignty. On June 20 every year, Eritreans all over the world organize programs in honor of those who died for the highest national cause. Thousands of men and women from the fighting force of Eritrea sacrificed their lives for the security, safety and glory of the nation.

Martyrs Day is a day we salute the families of martyrs and pay homage to them. This year, the nation salutes its fallen heroes and heroines by following the Covid-19 guidelines. Once the pandemic is behind us we shall gather and commemorate the day at Patriots Cemetery.

The Government selected 20th June as Martyrs’ Day as it marked the time many Eritrean heroes and heroines paid the ultimate price to crash the much touted and biggest Ethiopian offensive in 1982, the sixth offensive, aimed to “once and for all eliminate the EPLF”. The war began on 15th February, 1982, and continued uninterrupted for 95 days. The sixth Ethiopian offensive ended in a defeat of the Ethiopians. In the course of the 95-day fighting, 2,700 freedom fighters became martyrs while 5,000 were wounded. The first commemoration of Martyrs’ Day took place in 1991.

After Eritrea’s independence the provisional government announced on June 6, 1992, that the names of the 65,000 fallen heroes and heroines would be released through radio and newspapers. As scheduled, they were announced from mid- June to the end of the month. Moreover, the government formed committees at local administrative units in the cities and villages to officially announce the names of the martyrs. Religious leaders also made preparations to hold memorial services for the deceased.

A certificate of appreciation that bears the name, photo, date of conscription and place and date of martyrdom of the martyr was presented to the family of the deceased. The remains of the fallen heroes were collected from various battlefields and buried at Patriots’ Cemeteries throughout the country.

To truly honor the martyrs, the government has been taking measures to give support to their families. The government takes full responsibility for the welfare of the families. Soon after independence, every family of a martyr received ten thousand Nakfa and since 2004 such families have been regularly receiving financial support from the government.

The heroic sacrifice and martyrdom of the gallant forces of Eritrea have earned a special place in the memory of the people. On Martyrs Day, we confirm that the nation will never forget those who offered their blood and lives in defense of the country. There is no bigger sacrifice known to human beings than to lay down one’s life in the defense of the nation. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all of us to honor their valor, sacrifice and martyrdom in an enduring and holistic manner.

Our revolution blossomed and our endeavors were rewarded because of the blood of our martyrs. The blood of our martyrs solidifies our will, determination, strength, cohesion and solidarity. On 20th June, we salute our soldiers and commanders of the Eritrean Defense Forces, who are stationed in the battlefields of honor and dignity in the defense of independence, raising our national flag high. On this day, we pledge to emulate the discipline of our martyrs that enabled us to succeed throughout the struggle.

Our struggle for independence and resistance to safeguard our sovereignty would not have succeeded without the conviction, steadfastness, creativity, diligence, and self-sacrifice of our martyrs. In order to reward our martyrs there must be respect for the values developed during the course of the struggle for independence. The exemplary heroism of our martyrs is the foundation of the value system of the Eritrean society. In his 2017 speech on the occasion of Martyrs Day President Isaias Afwerki said, “The special values our martyrs bequeathed to us constitute a value system that characterizes our identity and patriotism nurtured during the armed struggle for independence.”

On Martyrs Day, we ask ourselves what the best way to honor our valiant fallen heroes and heroines would be. What can we do to reward all those who have paid their lives?

Eternal glory to our martyrs who gave their precious lives to give us security and freedom! May their souls rest in peace!

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

Gel’alo sub-zone, one of the ten sub-zones of the Northern Red Sea region, is located along the Red Sea coast with a potential for the development of the fish industry and tourism.

Mr. Mahmud Ibrahim, the administrator of the Gel’alo sub-zone, said that to make it easy to give social services scattered villages have been relocated to one site. Until Eritrea’s independence, there was no social service institution that the people of the sub-zone could rely on. Therefore, one of the primary tasks of the government was to establish basic institutions that help people live a stable and improved life.

Providing adequate health service is essential for a healthy society and must be assured for everyone. Prior to the independence of Eritrea, there was no health facility in the sub-zone and the people of the sub-zone had to travel to Massawa by boat or other means to get healthcare services. Of course, the EPLF used to give healthcare services to the local residents from health facilities set up in Assa-ela, Engel, and Bada.

The healthcare service in the Gel’alo sub-zone has grown in the last 30 years. Six health institutions, two health centers, and four health stations are now giving essential health services, including inpatient/outpatient consultations, referral services to Massawa, prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care. All of the health facilities have maternal waiting rooms. The frequency of pregnant women’s visits to health facilities has increased significantly over the years due to their awareness about the benefits of going to the hospital.

Health workers in the sub-zone conduct routine immunization and awareness-raising campaigns to prevent diseases, and the hard-to-reach areas are served by foot medics who give basic treatments and supervise prescribed medicines in their local areas. Mr. Mahmud Ahmed, director of health institutions in the sub-zone, said that as a result of years of hard work by health workers and the public’s awareness of the benefits of healthcare, the incidences of common diseases and death rates during childbirth have significantly decreased.

There was no school in the sub-zone up until Eritrea’s independence. Today, every administrative area has its own elementary school and so far 32 schools have been opened in the sub-zone. For junior and secondary schools, students go to Gel’alo, the center of the sub-zone, and Bada, and students who live far away from these sites are sent to the boarding school in Dekemhare.

Female enrollment in schools is said to be satisfactory in elementary schools but not satisfactory in junior and secondary schools. Mr. Mahmud attributes this to parents’ reluctance to send their daughters to boarding school. To counter the problem, the administration of the sub-zone has been organizing campaigns in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s branch in the sub-zone, government institutions as well as the elders and parents in the sub-zone. Moreover, to reduce the level of illiteracy in the sub-zone adult education is given at eleven stations.

Transportation is key to the development of a society and facilitates easy access to basic services. The areas along the coast have good access to transportation both by sea and land. But the scattered nature of the settlements and the mountainous terrain of the western part of the sub-zone pose challenges to the people who live in the area. The road being constructed to connect the villages to the major Assab- Massawa road, which crosses the sub-zone, is expected to ease the problems.

The water in the sub-zone has high salinity because of the sub-zone’s proximity to the sea. Many projects have been implemented to provide clean water, especially to the town of Gel’alo and villages around it. Most of the potable water is delivered by trucks.

Fishing is one of the primary activities the people of the sub-zone engage in. To empower the fishermen the Ministry of Marine Resources gives them training and loans through the saving and micro-credit branch office in the sub-zone. Besides, the sub-zones administration provides boats to those in need, thereby lifting families from poverty. Some of the challenges fishermen face have to do with the supply of fuel, ice and market price of the fish. The ice-making facility in the sub-zone is not currently functional, and fishermen have to travel to Massawa to sell their fish and buy ice and fuel. Therefore, more needs to be done in coastal areas to utilize fishing not only for daily subsistence and poverty reduction but also to develop the economy by exporting marine resources.

Gel’alo sub-zone is home to many historical and archeological sites and has great potential in the tourism industry. The Buya archeological site, which is believed to be a significant discovery for the origin of humanity, is located in this sub-zone. Buya and other 200 sites in its surroundings are potential sites for the discovery of more human remains that could reveal further the history of human evolution.

Gel’alo sub-zone borders Foro sub-zone to the north, Araeta to the South, Ethiopia to the west, and the Red Sea to the east. Its population is 29 thousand who live in 12 administrative areas. They are predominantly from Afar and Saho ethnic groups, with a few from the Tigrinya ethnic group. Most of the people’s lives, around 70%, depending on the sea, with the rest living on farming and trade.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea