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African Union opens Chinese-funded HQ in Ethiopia | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "It's a testimony that this relationship will continue in the future," he told AFP. |
Thriving relationship | Thriving relationship |
Trade between China and Africa has increased more than six-fold during the past decade to $120bn (£76bn) in 2011. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Chinese cars are being made in Ethiopian factories and China is also building a light railway across Addis Ababa. |
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