Ethiopian PM holds meeting with senior Chinese official on strengthening ties

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi (R) meets with Liu Yunshan， member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee， in Addis Ababa Nov. 9， 2011. Liu was on a friendly visit in Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)

Meles on Wednesday held talks with Liu Yunshan, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee who is paying a good- will visit to Ethiopia at the invitation of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front.

Liu, who is also head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, hailed the development of the China-Ethiopia relations since diplomatic ties were forged 41 years ago, stressing that the establishment of comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two sides in the year of 2003 has particularly served as new momentum for promoting China-Ethiopia ties.

Liu noted that the China-Ethiopia cooperation has grown steadily and smoothly with prosperous achievement in various fields. He also expressed sincere appreciation for close cooperation rendered by Ethiopia to China regarding regional and international issues, especially for their solid support shown on issues of China's core interests.

"China has highly valued its relations with Ethiopia and hopes that the two sides would continue to expand their cooperation in areas of politics, trade, economy and culture as well as people-to- people exchange," Liu said, adding that China looks forward to strengthening its coordination with Ethiopia in regards to major international and regional matters and promoting their friendly cooperation to a new level.

Meles firstly expressed his gratitude upon the assistance offered by China towards the development of Ethiopia through the past years. He said Ethiopia-China ties have been evolving healthily and firmly with the formation of their comprehensive cooperative partnership which is mainly pillared by governmental, inter-party and people-to-people relations.

He said Ethiopia admires the development achievement attained by China and takes China's progress as key opportunity for Ethiopia's brighter future. Ethiopia would like to further enhance its exchanges and cooperation with China and continue to inject energy to maintain and carry forward the traditional friendship.