PM Abiy Ahmed concludes his visit to China
Addis Ababa, October 21, 2023 (FBC) – After successfully concluding his official state visit to China and participation in the third Belt and Road Forum, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) and his delegation returned home this morning, the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed.
On the first day of the visit to China, Prime Minister Abiy was received by Prime Minister of China Mr. Li Qiang in an official welcoming ceremony demonstrative of the strong relations between the two countries.
During the bilateral meeting, the two leaders discussed ways of enhancing economic cooperation between Ethiopia and China. Following the bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Premier Li Qiang presided over the signing of 12 cooperation agreements and 2 letters of intent in various fields.
On October 17, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People together with their respective delegations where the two leaders announced the elevation of partnership between the two countries from Comprehensive and Enduring Strategic Cooperative Partnership level to an All-Weather Strategic Cooperation Partnership level.
President Xi commended Ethiopia’s achievements through the Green Legacy program citing its alignment with China’s green development policy and affirmed it will an integral part of a green belt and road.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed indicated the importance of Chinese investments in Ethiopia’s economy and encouraged more investments into the five key pillars of agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, mining and Tourism.
On the same day, the Premier and First Lady Zinash Tayachew attended the Belt and Road Initiative welcoming banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping.
On October 18, the Prime Minister addressed the Opening Session of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum where he shared the genesis of Sino-African relations and the strong basis for cooperation set by the BRI in infrastructure development within the African continent. He further highlighted Africa’s growing influence, citing the importance of ensuring multilateralism is inclusive.
The Prime Minister’s second engagement of the day included addressing participants of the 3rd BRI High Level Forum on the theme of “Connectivity in an Open Global Economy.” He shared the successes of the Belt and Road Initiative in Ethiopia and called for deepening of agriculture sector cooperation and intensifying industry centered development cooperation. “Ethiopia has a rich history and a strategic geographical location that has long positioned it as a gateway between Africa, Asia, and Europe. The Belt and Road Initiative provides us with a unique opportunity to leverage this advantage and further strengthen our role as a regional hub for trade, investment, and connectivity,” he said.
PM Abiy also met and conferred with President of the New Development Bank, Dilma Rousseff, on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum on October 18, 2023.
On the sidelines of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum, the Ethiopia-China Investment Forum was also held in Beijing and Shanghai. Ethiopian Ministers from Finance, Mining, Investment Commissioners and other pertinent stakeholders were present. Invited Chinese business company representatives were briefed on the opportunities Ethiopia has in different sectors. At the business forum held in Beijing, Ethiopian Investment Commission signed Memorandum of Understandings with Chinese pharmaceutical and agro-processing companies that are ready to invest in Ethiopia.
After concluding his participation in the 3rd Road and Belt Forum, the Prime Minister and his delegation visited the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Huawei Center as well as the Yangshan Port in Shanghai city on October 19, 2023.
To round off his successful visit to China, Prime Minister Abiy visited the green city of Chengdu located in the Sizchuan province of China on October 20, 2023. The third largest city after Beijing and Shanghai, Chengdu’s ties with Ethiopia include direct flights to the city from Addis Ababa, education and medical cooperation as well as trade ties.
During his stay in Chengdu, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also visited the Tianfu New Area, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, and the Tianfu Agricultural Expo Park. In a lunch banquet held for him by the China Communist Party’s head of the Sichuan Province, discussions were held on potential areas of furthering collaboration.
Capping of his effective stay in China with fruitful engagements, Prime Minister Abiy has returned to Addis Ababa on Saturday morning, as confirmed by the Office of the Prime Minister.