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Friday, January 04, 2019, 22:51
China, Ethiopia to deepen cooperation
By Xinhua
Friday, January 04, 2019, 22:51 By Xinhua

Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde (right) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Jan 3, 2019. (ZHANG YU / XINHUA)

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Addis Ababa on Thursday, with both sides highlighting the importance of further strengthening bilateral ties.

The Ethiopian government and all sectors of the society are committed to further strengthening cooperation with China

The Ethiopian government and all sectors of the society are committed to further strengthening cooperation with China, and look forward to a more robust relationship between the two countries, Sahle-Work said during the meeting held at the Ethiopian Presidential Palace.

The president also affirmed Ethiopia's readiness to continue to actively support and participate in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Ethiopia and China have consensus and common interests in protecting the world order from shocks of unilateralism, Sahle-Work said, expressing her hope that the two countries would continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and on other international affairs.

For his part, Wang said that the development of China and Ethiopia will strengthen the developing countries as a whole and enhance the capability of preserving world peace and stability.

READ MORE: Ethiopia ties enter 'new stage'

Wang said he believes that the Ethiopian government and people have the wisdom to explore a development path which is effective and is in line with Ethiopia's conditions.

China is willing to be a long-term and reliable partner while Ethiopia is developing the country and rejuvenating the nation, Wang said

China is willing to be a long-term and reliable partner while Ethiopia is developing the country and rejuvenating the nation, Wang said.

Both sides will implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit held in September 2018, strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative platform, and take it as an opportunity to push forward mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, Wang said.

Wang said he hopes that Ethiopia will continue to play the role of promoting the overall China-Africa cooperation.  

THREE KEY AREAS

While meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart Workneh Gebeyehu, Wang said that three areas -- political mutual trust, cooperation on Belt and Road Initiative, and cooperation in international affairs -- are prioritized in China-Ethiopia relations.

With regard to the political mutual trust between China and Ethiopia, Wang said the two sides will continue to understand and support each other on the core interests and major issues of common concern.

He also noted that China firmly supports Ethiopia's development path in line with its national conditions and supports its efforts to safeguard sovereignty, develop the country's economy and improve people's livelihood.

ALSO READ: FOCAC Beijing summit shows China's dedication to Africa

Speaking of the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang noted that Ethiopia is among the first batch of African countries which signed cooperation documents concerning jointly building the Belt and Road, and Ethiopian leaders attended the first Belt and Road Forum for International cooperation.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) shakes hands with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu during their meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Jan 3, 2019.  (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China supports Ethiopia in playing a role as a bridge and a link for the Belt and Road construction in Africa, he said. "We welcome Ethiopian leaders to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International cooperation in China this year."

On China-Ethiopia cooperation on international affairs, Wang said that China and Ethiopia are both developing countries, and both countries are faced with a complicated international environment.

We welcome Ethiopian leaders to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International cooperation in China this year

Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minster

China attaches importance to Ethiopia's role in African affairs, Wang added.

Noting that China and Ethiopia had good cooperation in the Security Council, Wang said China is willing to continue to coordinate with Ethiopia on issues such as the Security Council reform, climate change, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and protect the common interests of both countries.

Mentioning that Ethiopia is the first stop of his trip to Africa, Wang said that China and Ethiopia have forged close friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership.

He also noted that bilateral relations and cooperation have yielded fruitful results.

Wang said they have discussed that cooperation in the fields of industrial parks, energy, agriculture, and human resources development would help Ethiopia improve its independent development capability and achieve win-win results.

"We have also reached important consensus on strengthening communication and coordination between the two sides on international and regional issues," said Wang. "We expect that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Ethiopia will continue to be at the forefront of China-Africa relations under the new situation and play a model role."  


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