Chinese President Xi Meets Ethiopian PM in Beijing

In a significant diplomatic meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Beijing on Tuesday morning. The Ethiopian Prime Minister is currently in China’s capital to participate in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and to conduct an official visit to the country.

PM Abiy expressed his gratitude for the warm reception in China, particularly thanking Premier Li Qiang for the hospitality. He highlighted the strong and constructive relationship between Ethiopia and China, emphasizing its importance as a model for China-Africa and South-South cooperation. Abiy believes that this model can be a foundation for addressing both current and future development challenges in the new era.

During their meetings, China and Ethiopia inked 14 agreements the day before.

The Ethiopian News Agency reported that these agreements encompass a wide array of documents, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Protocol agreements, and the exchange of official letters. Notably, the agreements cover areas such as agricultural development, the green economy, urban development, infrastructure expansion, and the implementation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, all of which are vital components of their bilateral cooperation, as outlined in the ENA report.

Additionally, cooperation agreements were reportedly reached in the fields of human resource development, culture, tourism, and the health sector. However, specific details of these agreements have not been disclosed at this time.

Ethiopia’s inclusion as a member country in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) earlier this year was celebrated by Ethiopian authorities as a significant diplomatic achievement.

In August, China extended debt relief to Ethiopia, offering more flexible due payment dates, a move that Ethiopia had been seeking from Western creditors.

In ongoing efforts to address financial issues and build international partnerships, Ethiopian officials also held discussions with IMF authorities during their visit to Morocco this week.