Ethio-China Bilateral Cooperation on New Height: Minister Counselor of Chinese Embassy

Addis Ababa: The bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and China is on a new height, Chinese Embassy Minister Counselor, Shen Qinmin affirmed to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).The bilateral ties between Ethiopia and China has been further cemented with the all-weather strategic partnership announced by the leaders of the two countries during the visit of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to China on October 2023.The Minister Counselor stated that the diplomatic cooperation is significantly growing in terms of political and economic diplomacy, trade, investment and people-to-people ties.Their relation has elevated to a new height strategic partnership that further strengthened the comprehensive bond between the two nations, he added.'Last year, the two leaders, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, elevated the bilateral relationship to a new height which is now called all weather strategic partnership. So, our two countries relation is on the new height. I think that is a historical trend as w ell. We two countries of having ancient civilizations have a lot of bonds in terms of political trust, bilateral trade, investment as well as people to people exchanges,' Shen explained.Moreover, China is working closely with Ethiopia in agriculture, digital economy, manufacturing, industry, among other sectors, Shen underscored.He pointed out that the number of Chinese investors engaged in Ethiopia is increasing every year, and this is an indication of the strong partnership between the two nations.The ongoing bilateral ties is also a sign of strengthened China-Africa cooperation, Shen noted.'You know every year, more and more Chinese investors are coming in to Ethiopia; and more programs and projects have been set up in Ethiopia that is an embodiment of the spirit of China-Africa cooperation.'Furthermore, Shen described the implementation of comprehensive economic reform policy in Ethiopia as encouraging news for both domestic and foreign investors in the country, affirming China's support to the reform with full confidence.He reiterated that the economic reform would bring opportunities that are beneficial not only for FDI but basically for Ethiopian themselves.'I think this [comprehensive economic reform] is very encouraging news. We believe on this solid reform more opportunities will come. This will be beneficial; not only for foreign investors, but basically number one beneficiary of the reform is the Ethiopian themselves. Because, they are going to have a freer market economy just like China and all other countries,' Shen said.The upcoming China-Africa Summit to be held in China in the coming month of September will create an additional opportunity to further strengthen Ethio-China bilateral relations to a higher levels, Shen said, emphasizing that China and Ethiopia will continue to cement their friendship that will not be changed under any circumstances.It was learned that Ethiopia and China enjoy longstanding and historic relations; ever since they established formal diplomatic relati ons in 1970.Source : Ethiopian News Agency