China Reaffirms Respect for Eritrean Sovereignty in Asmara

Hu Changchun’s talks with President Isaias Afwerki follow a separate Chinese envoy’s meeting in Addis Ababa as Beijing seeks to ease regional tensions.

ASMARA — China has reaffirmed the need to respect Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during talks between President Isaias Afwerki and its special envoy for the Horn of Africa, according to Eritrea’s Ministry of Information.

Isaias received Hu Changchun at Denden Guest House on Thursday, 5 November. The ministry said their extensive discussions covered bilateral relations and developments in the region.

Hu reiterated Beijing’s position on “the imperative of respecting Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the ministry said.

The talks follow a breakdown in Eritrea–Ethiopia diplomatic relations. On 1 October, Eritrea’s Foreign Ministry announced it would sever ties following Ethiopia’s expulsion of Eritrean diplomats. It said Addis Ababa was seeking sovereign access to the sea by invading Eritrean ports and coastal areas.

On 21 October, the ministry reiterated that Eritrean sovereignty and territory were not open to negotiation. It said lasting regional peace required respect for sovereignty, non-interference and the rejection of demands to forcibly incorporate another country’s territory.

The Asmara meeting took place during a Chinese diplomatic initiative spanning the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region and the Middle East. Beijing announced the missions on 2 November, describing their purpose as encouraging peace talks and easing tensions.

A separate Chinese representative, Liu Xianfa, met Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos in Addis Ababa on 4 November. Liu is China’s special representative on African affairs; Hu holds the Horn of Africa portfolio.

Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry said Gedion briefed Liu on the region’s security situation and that Liu reaffirmed China’s intention to contribute to peace and security in Africa.

China’s own account, published in Chinese on 5 November, said Liu and Gedion discussed bilateral relations and the situation in the Horn. It recorded Liu’s message that China hoped regional tensions would ease as soon as possible.

Liu also set out four principles proposed by President Xi Jinping for addressing African conflicts: African leadership, fairness and justice, ending hostilities and pursuing peace, and addressing both immediate problems and their underlying causes.

The same Chinese account attributed to Gedion a commitment to pursue development for Ethiopia and neighbouring countries through consultation and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced that Hu would visit Eritrea and Liu would visit Ethiopia, Djibouti and Egypt. A third envoy, Zhai Jun, would visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The itineraries were scheduled for early to mid-November, with Hu’s Eritrea visit in early November.

During talks with Isaias on 2 September 2024, Xi praised Eritrea’s independent foreign policy and its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and dignity. He also called for deeper cooperation in energy, infrastructure and agriculture.