Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – (African Boulevard News) – Ethiopia’s prime minister, along with his delegation, held talks on Monday in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, as both leaders expressed their keenness to strengthen and expand cooperation between the two nations.
During the discussions, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the strategic partnership between Ethiopia and China. The talks focused on various important areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure development, and people-to-people exchanges.
One of the key topics of discussion was the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s ambitious global infrastructure development project. Prime Minister Abiy expressed his appreciation for China’s support and highlighted the benefits of Ethiopia’s participation in the initiative. He emphasized that Ethiopia’s engagement with the BRI has contributed significantly to the country’s infrastructure development and economic growth.
In response, Premier Li commended Ethiopia’s active involvement in the BRI, noting that it has enhanced connectivity and cooperation between the two countries. He expressed China’s willingness to continue supporting Ethiopia’s infrastructure development projects, particularly in sectors such as transportation, energy, and telecommunications.
The two leaders also discussed the importance of enhancing trade between Ethiopia and China. They acknowledged the significant increase in bilateral trade over the years and expressed their commitment to further boost economic ties. Prime Minister Abiy underscored the potential for increased Ethiopian exports to China, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Premier Li assured that China would work towards creating a favorable environment for Ethiopian products in the Chinese market.
Furthermore, both leaders highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation. They acknowledged the role of educational and cultural exchanges in strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between their nations. Prime Minister Abiy expressed his gratitude for China’s support in providing scholarships to Ethiopian students, enabling them to pursue higher education in Chinese universities.
Industry experts have welcomed the talks between the two leaders, noting that the deepening of cooperation between Ethiopia and China has the potential to bring significant benefits to both nations. They emphasized that increased investment and trade will contribute to Ethiopia’s economic development, job creation, and technology transfer.
Overall, the discussions between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Premier Li Keqiang have further solidified the already strong bond between Ethiopia and China. The willingness of both leaders to deepen cooperation in various sectors bodes well for the future of the bilateral relationship, bringing mutual benefits and opportunities for both countries.
Sources:
– Africanews
– Google Search – Ethiopia’s prime minister holds talks with Chinese counterpart in Beijing
