Chinese State Councilor, Ethiopian PM meet to enhance bilateral ties

Visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo (L) meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, July 20, 2010. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
A high-level Chinese delegation led by Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo held talks with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on Tuesday.

Their talks mainly focused on bilateral, regional and international issues of common concerns.

Dai told journalists after the talks that he had a fruitful discussion with the Ethiopian prime minister.

Dai said his discussion with Meles mainly focused on ways of further enhancing the relation between China and Ethiopia.

He also said they had discussion on the friendship and cooperation between China and Africa.

"We discussed how to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Ethiopia and China. We also had discussion on China-Africa cooperation. Over the past few years Ethiopia has enjoyed political stability, economic development, and social harmony. Ethiopia in the days to come is to progress and in this process the Chinese government is ready and wants to contribute share," said the state councilor.

China and Africa have enjoyed very good relations over the past decades, Dai said.

"We believe that over the past seven decades the relation between China and Africa has been very good. Since the beginning of the new era the relation has enjoyed good progress. The current general environment is very good for the cooperation between China and Africa, particularly in practical cooperation. The two sides seized the opportunities to overcome difficulties if there is any, to make good cooperation and bring about great benefits to the peoples of China and Africa," said Dai.

Dai said the relation between China and Africa is based on mutual benefit and interest.

"We are firmly committed to the relation with Africa. We always follow the principle not to interfering in African countries' internal affairs. We always respect the principle of mutual respect, equality and working for win-win results," he added.

According to an Ethiopian senior government official who attended the discussion between the two parties, Prime Minister Meles on his part said Ethiopia is committed to further enhancing the relation with China.

The official said the two sides also signed loan and grant agreements of a total amount of about 10.3 million U.S. dollars.

He said about 4.41 million dollars of the amount is an interest- free loan while the balance is a grant which is to be utilized for implementation of China-aided development projects here in Ethiopia.

The agreements were signed by Fu Ziying, Chinese Vice Minster of Commerce and Sufian Ahmed, Ethiopian Minister of Finance and Economic Development.

Dai also held discussion with the Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis.

Source:Xinhua