Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (R) meets with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Yu)
Spokesperson for Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nebiat Getachew told Xinhua Ethiopia-China ties are set for further boost as the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic ties approaches.
ADDIS ABABA. Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia-China ties are set for further boost as the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic ties approaches, an Ethiopian official has said.
Ethiopia and China established diplomatic ties in 1970, with the two countries in recent years forging closer economic, political, social and cultural ties.
Speaking exclusively to Xinhua, Nebiat Getachew, Spokesperson for Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Ethiopia plans to organize various ceremonies to celebrate the golden jubilee of the establishment of ties with China, one of the most important diplomatic ties the east African country has with foreign countries.
"Ethiopia and China have forged strong political, economic and people-to-people ties, with China vigorously supporting Ethiopia's economic development plans," Getachew said.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) shakes hands with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu during their meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Jan. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Yu)
"Thousands of Ethiopians are currently attending short to long term training programs in China, to help build Ethiopia's local capacity and human knowledge," Getachew told Xinhua.
Getachew said Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has visited China twice since he came into office in April 2018, while various high-level Chinese delegations have visited Ethiopia.
Getachew also said China is supporting Ethiopia's infrastructure drive including having built and financed the multi-billion U.S. dollars 756 km Ethiopia-Djibouti electrified rail line, and the 85 km Addis Ababa-Adama toll expressway, which are crucial to meet the infrastructure needs of landlocked Ethiopia.
"Ethiopia is a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to connect China to the rest of the world through a network of infrastructure." Getachew said.
