Premier proposes to enhance Sino-Ethiopian ties
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-11-02 22:04

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao put forward Tuesday four proposals to further development of bilateral relations between China and Ethiopia.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (left) hosts a welcome ceremony in honor of visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Beijing November 2, 2004. [newsphoto]

During his talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in the Great Hall of the People Tuesday afternoon, Wen said first, the two countries should maintain the momentum of high-level communications to consolidate their traditional friendship.

Secondly, Wen said the two countries should expand trade and economic cooperation, create favorable conditions for enterprises from both countries to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as agriculture, textile, resources development, infrastructure construction and tourism.

Wen also said the two sides should strengthen exchanges in the fields of humanity and culture.

The two countries should also step up coordination and cooperation in international affairs and contribute to world peaceand regional stability.

Meles Zenawi arrived in Beijing, the second-leg of his China tour, Tuesday. He is on a six-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He kicked off his visit on Oct. 31 in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

This is Meles' second visit to China as prime minister. Previously, he visited China in October, 1995.

Wen said in his talks with Meles that Sino-Ethiopian relations have become a model of the links between China and African countries. He said the Chinese government sincerely wishes the African continent to be politically stable and economically developed. Wen said he wished that Africa would counter the challenge of globalization with the progress of new partnership. The Chinese government will provide assistance within its capacityto this process.

Wen said China is ready to work with Ethiopia to push forward practical cooperation between China and Africa within the framework of China-Africa Forum.

Meles said friendly cooperation in all areas between Ethiopia and China have reached a remarkably high level over the years. He said bilateral relations enjoy solid political basis and that trade and economic cooperation grow continuously. He said the two sides share many common views on international affairs.

Expressing appreciation on China's support and assistance to Ethiopia's development, stability and peace, Meles said Ethiopia wish to consolidate the existing political links with China and especially expand trade and economic cooperation. He said Ethiopiais willing to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as agriculture and infrastructure development.

Meles reiterated that Ethiopia will firmly adhere to the "one-China" policy.

He said China is a true friend of the African people. China's efforts to promote stability and development of Africa and its practical measures to develop Sino-African relations have brought a lot of benefits to African countries, Meles said.

He said Ethiopia is ready to strengthen cooperation with China within the framework of China-Africa Forum.

After the talks, Wen and Meles attended the signing ceremony oftwo agreements between the two countries, including the agreement on economic and technological cooperation and the agreement on educational exchanges and cooperation.

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