Ethiopia PM cites China's key role in Africa’s development

Ethiopia's prime minister said the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit can bring more trade and investment between China and Africa, and expects the summit to discuss the global peace and security, and climate change as well, Chinese media reported.

"Africa has been growing rapidly in the last decade or so, and China has contributed a lot," said Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Desalegn said relations between China and Ethiopia are an example of China-Africa ties. Both countries have a strong party, according to Desalegn, and "China now has the Chinese dream that the Communist Party of China is promoting. But Ethiopia also has the Ethiopian Renaissance, and we want our people to achieve that end. So I think this helps us to synchronize and to understand each other," he added.

Both countries know that a free market is not the solution to everything, said Desalegn, adding for a lesser developed country like Ethiopia, government needs to play a strong role. "China and Ethiopia are similar in terms of having a strong government that leads the development process," Desalegn said.

The PM said he appreciates China's contribution to Ethiopia's economic development. The Chinese government not only helps with Ethiopia's infrastructure but also in training, research, cooperation and science and technology. China also provides huge investments in Ethiopia's light manufacturing, textiles and apparel, leather products, footwear and agri-processing.

Ethiopia will move forward from an "agriculture country," to "industrial country", Desalegn said, and the country expects more manufacturing investments from China. Ethiopia is also seeking cooperation in tourism, he added. He said that China Air recently started direct flights to Addis Ababa, which will not only benefit bilateral investment opportunities but will also help cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Desalegn stressed that no country can live without the use of resources, and the development of Western countries is rooted in African recourses. However, the relationship between China and Africa is based on mutual benefits, respect and no interference in domestic affairs, and these have formed the foundation of the Africa-China win-win relationship.