Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to the country.

The two countries issued a joint statement on establishing an all-weather strategic partnership.

Noting both sides have agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance mutual political trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, China and Ethiopia have decided to upgrade their relationship to an all-weather strategic partnership, according to the statement.

They reiterate their firm support for each other in defending the core interests of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Ethiopian government reaffirms its adherence to the one-China principle, recognizes that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and supports all efforts made by the Chinese side to achieve national reunification, said the statement.

The two sides also decide to deepen cooperation on high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the statement noted. It added that Ethiopia is willing to step up the synergy between its Ten Years Perspective Development Plan (2021-2030) and Homegrown Economic Reform, and the China-proposed BRI.

The Ethiopian side appreciates and supports the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by President Xi, according to the statement.

Noting that all countries face common challenges in seeking peace, development and exploring the path to modernization, the statement said that both sides agree to take the lead in implementing the GCI, advocate peaceful coexistence and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

All-weather strategic partnership an 'opportunity'

During the meeting with Abiy Ahmed, Xi said that over the past decade, the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Ethiopia has been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation in terms of cooperation areas and results.

The two sides should take the establishment of the all-weather strategic partnership as an opportunity to advance common development and win-win cooperation, promote South-South solidarity and cooperation, and safeguard international equity and justice, said Xi.

Xi said China supports Ethiopia in safeguarding its sovereignty, safety and development interests. He said both sides should continue to strengthen cooperation and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and of major concerns.

China is willing to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with Ethiopia within the frameworks including Belt and Road cooperation, and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and support Ethiopia's post-conflict reconstruction and economic revitalization, said Xi.

Noting that Ethiopia is a strong power in marathons, he said China is willing to work with Ethiopia to uphold the spirit of marathons and jointly build a global community with a shared future.

Abiy Ahmed said China is an important partner of Ethiopia. He said China's investment and Belt and Road cooperation have promoted Ethiopia's economic and social development.

Further strengthening the bilateral ties is not only crucial to Ethiopia but also significant to South-South cooperation, he noted.

Ethiopia is ready to promote Belt and Road cooperation with China, cooperate more closely in key areas and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Ethiopia, he said.

The Ethiopian prime minister also lauded the three global initiatives proposed by Xi, saying that his country will cooperate with China closely to promote the implementation of the initiatives.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Beijing, China, October 17, 2023. /Xinhua)