Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says interest to increase its strategic cooperation with China after his meeting with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi.
The meeting took place hours after Yi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China, arrived in Addis Ababa on Friday.
Abiy said he was “pleased to meet” Director Yi who handed a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping to the PM. “Ethiopia remains committed to enhancing its strategic cooperation with China,” said the PM in a tweet.
Later, Yi also met with Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen as part of his visit that aims to “further enhance the strong, and cooperative partnership” between the two countries.
“They discussed common issues of mutual interest,” the foreign ministry said and agreed “to further scale up multifaceted cooperation at bilateral, regional, and multilateral venues.
“On top of this, they have also reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability as well as development in the Horn of Africa,” the Ministry added.
Yi said China encourages the private sector to engage in investment, trade, and reconstruction efforts in Ethiopia.
