Chinese and Ethiopian experts and policymakers have called for the strengthening of China-Ethiopia cooperation and experience-sharing to achieve joint development and modernization goals.
ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Ethiopian experts and policymakers have called for the strengthening of China-Ethiopia cooperation and experience-sharing to achieve joint development and modernization goals.
During a high-level dialogue held Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, under the theme "New Opportunities for China-Ethiopia Cooperation in the Joint Pursuit of Modernization," senior officials from both nations, members of the Chinese diplomatic community in Ethiopia, and experts from various think tanks emphasized the growing ties between the two countries.
Wu Yan, Chinese vice minister of education, said China and Ethiopia have deepened their cooperation across multiple sectors over more than five decades of diplomatic relations.
Noting that Ethiopia is the first African country to establish an "all-weather strategic partnership" with China, Wu reiterated China's commitment to further enhancing cooperation with Ethiopia in their joint pursuit of modernization, aiming to elevate their relationship to new heights.
Wu mentioned the strong partnerships the two countries have built, both bilaterally and through multilateral frameworks such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the BRICS mechanism, as well as other international platforms. He also emphasized China's dedication to supporting Ethiopia through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.
Amid the rapidly changing global landscape, Wu reaffirmed China's stance on fostering an equal, multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive international system.
He expressed China's readiness to share its experiences with Ethiopia in various socioeconomic development sectors. "We always support Ethiopia in exploring its path to modernization that fits the country's national conditions, and we stand ready to work and make exchanges," he said.
Tesfahun Gobezay, deputy head of public and international relations at Ethiopia's ruling Prosperity Party, praised the positive outcomes of the Ethiopia-China partnership, noting that China's comprehensive development success in its modernization offers valuable lessons for Ethiopia.
"China's development shows there is no 'one size fits all' mechanism when it comes to development," Gobezay said, adding that China's practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics has enabled it to forge a unique path tailored to its specific conditions and needs.
Melaku Mulualem, a senior researcher in international relations and diplomacy at Ethiopia's Institute of Foreign Affairs, highlighted China's extraordinary development and modernization as a driving force for global progress, particularly for developing countries.
"China's modernization is helping other countries towards modernization. China has supported Ethiopia and many other countries to launch satellites into space, while global projects through the BRI are improving global connectivity, realizing fast transformation into modernization," Mulualem said.
Experts and policymakers attending the dialogue also stressed the need to further strengthen win-win development cooperation between China and Ethiopia in their mutual pursuit of modernization. They highlighted the importance of enhancing experience-sharing and exchanges at both leadership and grassroots levels.■