Ethiopia, China pledge to boost ties, cooperation

Ethiopia and China on Thursday pledged to promote friendly ties between the two countries and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Bilateral cooperation in various fields had grown steadily over recent years, Chinese Envoy and Deputy Foreign Minister Zhai Jun said in a meeting with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

This year marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ethiopia, noted Zhai, who is here to attend the 14th African Union (AU) summit.

China was ready to strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia and would strive to bring China-Ethiopia ties to a new high, he said.

The Chinese government attached high importance to the implementation of follow-up actions of the fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Zhai said.

Meanwhile, China would continue to maintain close communication with Ethiopia, and would step up its efforts in carrying out the eight-measure policy designed to enhance substantial cooperation with Africa, Zhai said.

He also extended condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia over this week's Ethiopian Airlines crash in the Mediterranean, which killed 90 people.

Zenawi spoke highly of China-Ethiopia relations, saying China had played an important role in Ethiopia's development and national construction.

Through its cooperation with Africa, China aimed to build up the independent development capacity of Africa, said Zenawi, stressing that China's economic growth and China-Africa cooperation had brought many benefits to Africa.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues of common concern such as climate change.

Source: Xinhua