Diplomacy tradition boosts China-Africa ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Ethiopia from Jan 7 to 9, undertaken as part of the longstanding tradition of Chinese foreign ministers making Africa their first destination of the New Year, is significant both in its timing and substance. For the past 36 years, China has consistently prioritized Africa in this symbolic diplomatic practice. Yet the value of this tradition extends well beyond symbolism. It provides an opportunity for an engagement between China and its African partners for bilateral cooperation and recalibration of strategic priorities in light of evolving global and regional dynamics.

Ethiopia remains one of the most frequently visited African countries in this annual diplomatic tour, a reflection of its strategic importance in China's diplomacy. The itinerary underscores China's differentiated engagement with key African partners.

Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation 26 years ago, relations between Ethiopia and China have evolved from basic economic and technical cooperation into a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in 2017 and into an all-weather strategic partnership in 2023. What began as a modest engagement in aid, trade and technical assistance has expanded into a broad-based strategic partnership aligned with the development priorities of both countries.

The durability and depth of the partnership rest on several core principles: equality between partners, equity in relations, mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. These values have played a pivotal role in cultivating trust and sustaining cooperation. In diplomatic practice, treating each other as equals means the absence of political conditionalities, external imposition or interference in domestic affairs. China's engagement with Ethiopia, characterized by flexibility, respect for Ethiopia's policy choices, and alignment with nationally defined priorities, has made China a development partner of choice.

China's unprecedented transformation over the past four decades is an inspiration for many countries in the Global South, including Ethiopia. Ethiopia's interest in learning from and benchmarking China's development experience has encouraged extensive interaction between the two sides. However, Ethiopia has never sought to replicate the Chinese development or governance model wholesale, given the contextual differences in history, culture and political economy.

The launch of FOCAC in 2000 coincided with Ethiopia's growing emphasis on economic diplomacy. Ethiopia's active participation in FOCAC activities and China's major global initiatives provided strong momentum for enhancing bilateral relations. Within the context of their respective national priorities, both countries have found strategic value in each other. The Ethiopia-China partnership has thus acquired symbolic significance as a successful model of South-South cooperation.

Ethiopia's growth and transformation plans and, more recently, the homegrown economic reform agenda clearly articulate the country's priorities in engaging with China. Key focus areas include infrastructure development, industrialization, foreign direct investment, trade, technology transfer and development financing.

China's contribution to Ethiopia's infrastructure development is unparalleled. For over a decade, China has consistently ranked first among sources of FDI in Ethiopia. According to data from the Ethiopian Investment Commission, nearly half of Ethiopia's FDI inflows originate from China. Chinese enterprises have played a critical role in the development of industrial parks and in advancing Ethiopia's industrialization drive.

Trade between Ethiopia and China has also expanded significantly, mirroring the broader growth of China-Africa trade. However, the persistent trade imbalance in China's favor reminds us the need for enhanced efforts in value addition, improvement in productivity and diversification in exports. At the same time, the expansion of China's middle income group and consumer market presents substantial opportunities for Ethiopian exports, particularly in agro-processing and manufactured goods.

Looking ahead, cooperation in the digital economy, artificial intelligence, mining and people-to-people exchanges aligns well with Ethiopia's evolving priorities and offers significant potential for further deepening bilateral engagement.

During my tenure as Ethiopian ambassador to China from 2019 to 2022, I experienced Wang Yi's visit to Ethiopia twice. The first was in 2019, where he focused on bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual concern. His 2021 visit, however, stands out for its political significance. Conducted amid the conflict in northern Ethiopia, it demonstrated solidarity with the Ethiopian government and people at a time when many Western countries were evacuating their citizens.

That visit sent an unmistakable message: China does not abandon its partners in times of difficulty. This stance reflects China's long-standing foreign policy principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The timing of this year's visit was equally significant. It came at a moment of heightened regional and global uncertainty. Developments in the Horn of Africa unfolding, including tensions related to maritime access and questions of sovereignty, as well as broader global challenges to international governance, are issues of mutual concern to both Ethiopia and China. Ethiopia's support for several Chinese initiatives including the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative was reassured.

The one-China principle was reaffirmed by the Ethiopian government. Ethiopia's quest for access to the sea was addressed within the framework of maritime logistics and emphasized through diplomatic and peaceful dialogue. Respect for the United Nations Charter was referred to more than once, while the opposition to external interference subtly addressed the situation in Venezuela.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Ethiopia reinforces the depth, resilience and strategic nature of the Ethiopia-China all-weather strategic partnership. Beyond diplomatic symbolism, the visit reflects shared principles, converging interests, and a mutual commitment to navigating an increasingly complex regional and global environment. As Ethiopia advances its ambitious development agenda, and as China continues to recalibrate its engagement with Africa, the partnership remains a cornerstone of South-South cooperation and a model for equitable and mutually beneficial international relations.

The author is former ambassador of Ethiopia to China.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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