ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) on Thursday officially launched its office here in Ethiopia.

    Speaking at the launching ceremony in the Ethiopian capital, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Tan Jian noted that under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese enterprises and NGOs in Ethiopia have been working closely together to fulfill corporate social responsibility in local communities, and help promote the friendship between the Chinese and the Ethiopian peoples.

    "Today, with the setting up of the China Poverty Alleviation office, the message is this: in addition to the official support, Chinese civil societies have also joined the campaign, to fight shoulder to shoulder with our Ethiopian brothers and sisters, thus help bring our two peoples closer and strengthen bond," he said.

    The ambassador expressed China's commitment to further strengthen cooperation and deepen China-Ethiopia economic and trade relations, and work with all parties to contribute to the sustainable development in Ethiopia.

    The foundation has been operating in Ethiopia since 2015 through various development programs in important areas of education, water and women economic empowerment among others.

    Debrework Leulseged, Director General of Yenat Weg Charitable Organization, the implementing partner of CFPA for the Smiling Children School Feeding Program, commended the people and government of China as well as CFPA for the "great support that shines light on the lives of the needy students."

    Wang told reporters that the opening of the CFPA office in Ethiopia and also recruiting local staff would help the foundation enhance its intervention areas and scope based on priorities of the local community.

    "We will be able to have more in-depth, field need assessment and to understand the true needs of people here and which also means we have better communication with the local community, and better connectivity with local community, with donor communities, and with NGO communities, which will help us to understand the true needs of this country, and based on this need assessment, we can design and implement more projects which means that we will be able to help and assist more needy people than we have done before," he said.

    Representatives of CFPA's partners, including Chinese companies and other international organizations, attended the ceremony for the launch of CFPA Ethiopia office.

    Wu Peng, Director of the International Development Department of CFPA, expressed the hope that the gifts from Panda Land will contribute to a colorful childhood of Ethiopian children, and sow seeds of friendship in their hearts."

    The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation has been carrying out activities within its major programs, including the Smiling Children School Feeding Program, and the Panda Pack Project, Water Cellar Project, School Water Purification Project, and Women Economic Empowerment Program in Ethiopia.