China reaches out to Ethiopia

China is willing to import more marketable products from Ethiopia and encourage greater investment in Ethiopia by competitive and reputable Chinese companies, senior Chinese leader Jia Qinglin said in Addis Ababa during a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Jan 28 in the National Palace.

This is one of the four aspects in which Jia said China would like to work together with Ethiopia to further deepen bilateral relationship. The other moves are to maintain high-level exchanges to enhance political trust, promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen bilateral cooperation on major international issues to push world political and economic order to a more rational and just direction, and strive for peace and development in Africa.

"China is ready to work with Ethiopia to bring comprehensive and cooperative partnership to higher levels," said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He arrived on Friday in the Ethiopian capital for an official goodwill visit, and is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the 18th African Union (AU) summit today.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 42 years ago, particularly since the forging of an all-round cooperative partnership in 2003, China and Ethiopia have had fruitful exchanges and cooperation in the political, economic and cultural areas and enjoyed closer cooperation in international and regional affairs.

He also said the government and people of China thank Ethiopia for its long-term commitment to the one-China policy and that the two countries have been supporting each other on issues touching on respective core interests.

Meles described Jia's visit as "a celebration".

"I'm very pleased to welcome your visit," he said, adding Ethiopia appreciated China's contribution to improving the economic and social development in the country.

In addition to welcoming investment from Chinese companies, Meles said the government of Ethiopia wanted to increase exchanges with China on nation-building and send more technicians to receive training in China.

From 1971 when both sides started economic and technological cooperation, China has built highways, a veterinary station, a power station and water-supply projects for Ethiopia.

China has become Ethiopia's largest trading partner and a main source of foreign investment.

After the meeting, representatives from China and Ethiopia signed seven economic and trade agreements and memorandums of understanding.

Jia attended the signing ceremony and then met Ethiopian President Girma Wolde Giorgis.