Source: The Ethiopian Herald
President Girma Wolde-Giorgis reaffirmed that Ethiopia will further strengthen its relations with China particularly in the economic sector. The President made the remark while holding talks with a Chinese delegation led by Yan Junqui, China National Peoples Congress Standing Committee Vice Chairwoman.
Needless to mention, Ethio-China relations and cooperation have become vibrant in all spheres following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the early 1970s. After the setting up of the diplomatic relations, it has seen an overall good relationship between the two countries. Interestingly, in recent years, the relations between the two countries maintain a healthy and continuous development tendency with ceaseless mutual visits at high levels and increasing intercourse of personnel.
The two-day official visit not long paid by the delegation comprising 14 members arrived Addis has vividly witnessed China's commitment to closely work with Ethiopia. Apart from Chinese investors' interest to invest in Ethiopia, officials and leaders of that nation have visited Ethiopia. So have Ethiopians. This would be instrumental to promote the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries. Even the people-to-people relations is getting deepened now.
In fact, the economic and technological cooperation between China and Ethiopia has helped the latter promote highway, veterinary station, power station and water-supply projects and so on. A great deal of USD has been pumped into the development activities in Ethiopia as a number of Chinese companies started investing in Ethiopia. The Chinese exports to Ethiopia mainly cover the light industry projects, metal and building materials, mechanic and electric products, and medical and chemical products and the like. This has contributed a lot to the bilateral trade between the two nations.
Furthermore, the important agreements signed by both parties are significantly useful to further deepen Sino-Ethiopian relations. And China is ready to expand cooperation with Ethiopia and other African countries and make such cooperation more fruitful so as to bring benefits to the people of both sides. Indeed, China places importance on developing its relationship with Ethiopia and is willing to strengthen exchanges, enhance friendship and expand cooperation with Ethiopia and other African countries through the effective mechanism of the China-Africa Forum. Particularly the two countries have maintained sound relations since they established diplomatic relations.
Consequently, they have achieved positive results in exchanges and cooperation in such areas as politics, trade, economy, culture, education and public health, as well as in international and regional affairs. They have stepped up their efforts to explore new ways to deepen bilateral relations and expand mutually beneficial cooperation and the bilateral relations have entered a new era. Besides, the Ethiopia-China relations are now close, friendly and substantial to mark progress in various aspects.
The high quality assistance China has been offering to Ethiopia needs to be greatly appreciated as it helps Ethiopia draw important experience in social and economic development and poverty elimination. Indeed, China would be a role model for Ethiopia to bring about meaningful change in all aspects.