Ethiopia, often referred to as the “Home of Long-Distance Running in Africa”, is a key strategic partner for China in the continent and an active participant in the Belt and Road Initiative.
For over two decades, China First Highway Engineering Co., Ltd (CFHEC), a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), has been deeply rooted in Ethiopia, conducting a series of cultural and social welfare activities.
One of its flagship initiatives is the Addis Ababa Long-Distance Relay Race, first held in 2004. Organized by CFHEC in collaboration with Haile Gebrselassie, a legendary Ethiopian former marathon runner and two-time Olympic gold medalist, the event has grown into a significant tradition in Ethiopia.
The Addis Ababa Long-Distance Relay Race, first held in 2004, is a major sporting event in Ethiopia. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The race merges corporate social responsibility with local cultural heritage, focusing on the theme of “road safety”, a topic highly relevant to the local community. Since its inception, the event has attracted nearly 40,000 participants, becoming a major sporting event in the capital.
Haile Gebrselassie, a legendary Ethiopian former marathon runner and two-time Olympic gold medalist, presents the awards at the event. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The race draws participation from government agencies, financial institutions, enterprises, embassies, Chinese-funded organizations, and professional running clubs. It also allows Chinese employees to experience Ethiopia’s rich running culture firsthand. Moges Tibebu, director general of the Addis Ababa City Roads Authority, praised the event, highlighting that CFHEC in Addis Ababa completed great engineering projects.
The race sees diverse participation from both Chinese employees and local workers. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The venue for each race is carefully selected from the latest municipal roads completed by CFHEC, including the Addis Ababa Ring Road and the Addis Ababa Outer Ring Connection Line. In 2022, the race took place on the Goterra Interchange Municipal Road, Addis Ababa’s first urban integrated transportation artery, featuring roads, bridges, and tunnels. The newly built, spacious roads and brightly lit tunnels provided a novel experience for the runners.
Over the years, CFHEC has not only focused on building quality infrastructure but also made active efforts to promote road safety in Ethiopia. Since the inaugural relay race in 2004, road safety has remained the central theme, aiming to raise awareness among local residents and reduce traffic accidents.
With extensive coverage from Chinese and Ethiopian media, along with widespread promotion on social media, the importance of road safety has been increasingly recognized and embraced by the local population, as recently Ethiopia’s road safety has greatly improved. Kebede Midekso, director of the Addis Ababa Traffic Management Authority, commended CFHEC and the race, stating, “Our roads used to be narrow, old, and congested. The new roads built by CFHEC have solved these problems. The relay race is also a tremendous success, spreading crucial road safety knowledge to the public.”
CFHEC has actively upheld the principle of fulfilling social responsibility, maintaining a positive image for Chinese enterprises in Ethiopian society, and promoting the integration of corporate culture with local traditions. The company’s efforts have significantly contributed to deepening the friendship between China and Ethiopia.
The race has effectively integrated CFHEC into the local community and culture. Each race sees diverse participation from both Chinese employees and local workers. Wang Qian, a 27-year-old employee, has represented the company in the race twice. He shared that the event brought him closer to the local people and helped him make more international friends.
In addition to the relay race, CFHEC has carried out other public welfare activities in Ethiopia, giving back to the local community by funding school construction and supporting educational initiatives.
Beyond public welfare activities, the company integrates its social responsibility awareness with its operational work. During the construction of the Bole International Airport, CFHEC led a team of over 1,000 international workers to complete what is now East Africa’s largest aviation hub. The project not only stood the test of time but also earned the company the reputation of “Addis Ababa’s Technical School” by nurturing local technical talent and providing a platform for professional growth.
In the future, CFHEC plans to continue its race-related activities and analyze two decades of historical data from the project to identify more highlights of the company’s overseas social responsibility efforts. The company aims to enhance its international influence while actively fulfilling its social responsibilities, and utilizing domestic and international media resources to effectively communicate the story of Chinese corporate social responsibility.
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
