Editor's note: Hannan Hussain, a special commentator for CGTN, is a foreign affairs commentator, author and assistant research associate at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, recently met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali in Addis Ababa and held productive discussions with the country's Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen. The visit paves the way for more constructive cooperation in a diverse range of fields spanning digital economy, green development and agriculture. It also reinforces the significance of stronger China-Ethiopia relations to the Global South, where cooperation is a recurring priority for both Africa and Beijing.

As comprehensive strategic cooperative partners, Beijing and Ethiopia have come a long way. Both sides have exerted positive influence to consolidate key regional cooperation mechanisms in Africa, including the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Ethiopia has also treated its time-tested relationship with China as a catalyst for stronger Sino-African relations. The symbolism runs deep: in 2003, the then-Ethiopian State Minister of Trade and Industry Taddese Haile said that China's cooperation with Africa in critical spheres could "make a real difference in assisting African countries in their earnest fight for transforming their political and socio-economic development."

Nearly two decades onwards, China remains clear in its assurance to Ethiopia that no "political conditions" or "geopolitical self-interest" inform its engagement in the region, and the latter's recognition of Chinese support during internal difficulties scores that symbolism home.

The present visit signals stronger momentum for business and investment opportunities on both sides. Wang has expressed China's intent to accelerate Ethiopia's push for industrialization, underscoring the utility of a progressive and stable Ethiopia to the region. Wang's talks with high-level government officials also create conducive conditions for the advancement of shared regional imperatives, such as the outcomes from the eighth Ministerial Conference of FOCAC. China and Ethiopia jointly endorsed key objectives at the conference, including efforts to expand the size and scale of China's trade with Africa, which has benefitted Ethiopia's own trade integration in the past.

Without a doubt, Ethiopia remains very receptive to the tangible gains of win-win Belt and Road cooperation with China. Major leaps include a China-financed railway that links landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti, extending connectivity and access points beyond the continent. 

Against this backdrop, it is opportune for both strategic partners to venture into new cooperation horizons, such as green and low-carbon development, that are of value to Africa as a whole. "China is ready to work with Ethiopia and other African countries to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, green development, digital economy, health and other fields, and constantly open up new prospects for China-Africa cooperation," affirmed Wang.

Beijing's consistent track record of non-interference in Ethiopia's internal affairs, and its readiness to address debt pressure on the country, demonstrate ample resolve to facilitate Ethiopia's path to autonomous, sustainable development.

Wang's trip also carried a powerful message on China's diplomatic priorities towards Addis Ababa. The visit serves as Wang's first stop ahead of a three-nation tour of Africa and brings heightened prospects of a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises in Ethiopia. In Wang's own telling, Beijing encourages "well-positioned and creditworthy enterprises to invest" further in the country.

An expanding business footprint in the country can inject new impetus into investment collaboration between both sides in the future. After all, Ethiopia serves as one of the largest recipients of foreign direct investment on the African continent. Chinese investment in sectors such as communication technologies, large-scale infrastructure, industrial parks and manufacturing has also aided government efforts to promote industrial self-sufficiency. It is in the interests of both partners to maintain that positive trajectory through consistent, high-level diplomatic support.

As a result, a deepening Sino-Ethiopian strategic partnership opens up new possibilities for joint advancement of the BRI, helps diversify bilateral cooperation across emerging sectors, and presents fruitful relations as a growth model for China-Africa relations at large.

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