President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia at the Great Hall of the People on Friday (September 4).
Xi Jinping thanked the Ethiopian PM for attending the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in China, and pointed out that the people of Ethiopia also made important contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.
“You took a special trip to China for the commemorations, which demonstrated not only the profound friendship of the two peoples, but also the conviction of the Ethiopian people to maintain peace and justice, and I appreciate this,” Xi told Mr Desalegn.
Xi Jinping emphasized that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago, China and Ethiopia have enjoyed healthy and steady development in their relations. Bilateral practical cooperation in various fields has brought concrete benefits to the people of the two countries.
Xi also said China is willing to make concerted efforts with Ethiopia to turn the two countries’ traditional friendly advantages into the momentum for cooperation and development. The two sides should understand and support each other on issues involving their core interests. Both countries should promote the mutually beneficial cooperation in economy and trade, and China is willing to increase investment in infrastructure construction and human resource development in Ethiopia.
The two countries should also strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation. China is willing to enhance communication and coordination with Ethiopia on major international and regional issues, so as to safeguard the common interests of the developing countries, explained President Xi.
Mr Desalegn said that he was glad to attend the commemorations, adding that Ethiopia has received valuable support from China not only during the war years against fascist aggression, but also in the peaceful era. He expressed hopes that this traditional friendship can be passed on from generation to generation.
Ethiopia considers China as a preferred cooperative partner, hoping to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as production capacity, agriculture, and urbanization as well as in international and regional affairs.
