Development projects being carried out with the aid of the Chinese government have significantly benefited Ethiopians while creating significant number of local jobs.

 

The projects are being undertaken in various sectors mainly in health, education, and infrastructure programs.

 

A primary school constructed in Siltie Zone of the Southern Nations and Peoples' States of Ethiopia is one of the project carried out with the aid of the Chinese government.

 

Sherefedin Shumie, a local official from Siltie Zone Education Office, told Xinhua that the school has enabled local students to attend their education in a comfortable environment where the necessary facilities are fulfilled.

 

"Previously the students were learning in classrooms on dusty floors. Thanks to the Chinese government and its people now things have changed for good and the students are attending their study in comfortable place. Every thing is good here, the classrooms, the desks, the compound, everything is nicely done," said Sherefedin.

 

According to the official, the number of students coming to primary schools has also highly increased after the construction of the school by the Chinese government.

 

"The school has enabled us to boost our intake to 840 annually and they are taught in 14 sections. The environment is very suitable both for the students and their teachers," he said.

 

"On behalf of the children and their parents, the local people at large, I would like to thank the Chinese government and its people for they got us such a beautiful school," he added.

 

Students of the school on their part expressed their happiness by learning in the beautifully built school.

Nadia Behredin is a 9-year-old girl. She is in grade 4. Nadia told Xinhua that the school is very nice and the teachers are also very good.

 

Abdulselam Jemal, 9, is in grade 3 while his friend Abdulfetha is in grade 2.

 

The children told Xinhua that they are extremely happy for having the chance to go to such a beautiful school with all the necessary school facilities.

 

They said the classrooms, the benches, the playing field, everything is good there.

 

Alewdres Kebede, a representative of the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, said the local people have had a very beautiful and quality school for their children from the Chinese government.

 

He said he is grateful for the Chinese government and its people for their help in the education sector.

 

Tirunesh-BeijingHospitalis another project carried out with the support of the Chinese government in the health sector.

 

The hospital got its name after Tirunesh Dibaba, an Ethiopian athlete, won two gold medals at the Beijing Olympics and also shows the support the Chinese government provides to Ethiopia in the health sector.

 

While visiting the project, Kebede Worku, Ethiopian State Minister of Health, said the hospital is exceptional in its design and it is symbolic for the strong relations between Ethiopia and China.

 

Worku commended the Chinese engineers and workers for their dedicated efforts they employ to complete the project in a good quality and speedy manner.

 

"It is really encouraging that they work with dedication on the project; it's an exceptional building and I am very happy to see such building. They are working with dedication and the implementation of the project is speedy," said he.

 

Tang Weiyi, Project Manager of the hospital, said the workers are working hard day and night and the whole project will be completed in nine months.

 

Qian Zhaogang, Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Office with the Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa, told Xinhua that the Chinese government has been supporting Ethiopia in various sectors since the 1970s.

 

He said the support includes among others, in health, education sectors and also in infrastructure programs.

 

"We provide technical and other assistances to Ethiopia. Our contribution to economic growth of Ethiopia has also increased after the China -Africa Cooperation Forum, and the cooperation between China and Ethiopia is based on mutual benefit and interest, " said Qian.

 

"The Chinese government supports Ethiopia in health programs constructing hospitals, primary schools and colleges as well as infrastructural programs," he added.

 

The Ethio-China Ploy Technic College is another project supported by the Chinese government in the Ethiopian education sector.

 

The college was established in 2007 and currently some 330 students are attending 3rd and 4th level Technical and Vocational Education and Training education in the college, said Lu Shuangying, dean of the Ethio-China Poly Technic College.

 

According to Lu, the College has a plan to take some 980 new students in the coming academic year.

 

He said the College is the biggest polytechnic college established by the Chinese government outside the country.

 

The Ethio-China Poly Technic College was constructed by Anhui Longan Construction Company.

 

According to Yu Fanfu, General Manager of Anhui Longan Construction Company, the construction of the college took two years from 2005 up to 2007.

 

"The whole project includes the complex-multi-functional building, classrooms, teachers and students dormitories, and teaching building. During the construction we have received supports from different sides including among others, the Chinese embassy in Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian Ministry of Education," said Yu.

 

The Chinese government has constructed technical colleges and primary schools in different parts of the country.