Hu Jintao highlights China-Ethiopia cooperative partnership

Source: Xinhuanet | 11-04-2006 16:45

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 4, 2006. Meles Zenawi is in Beijing for the two-day Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation

BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Ato Meles Zenawi on Saturday, highlighting comprehensive and cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Hu met Meles on the sidelines of the ongoing Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which opened earlier Saturday.

China and Ethiopia have increased exchanges between their governments, ruling parties, legislatures, localities and people, expanded trade and two-way investment and witnessed fruitful cooperation in areas including agriculture, personnel training and infrastructure construction, said Hu.

The two countries have also maintained consultations and coordination in international affairs, Hu added.

"Ethiopia has actively participated in the affairs of the FOCAC and played an important role in implementing the follow-up actions of the forum and in preparing for this summit," Hu said.

Meles, whose country co-chairs the forum, said the two countries share common aspirations for developing friendly bilateral cooperation as the exchanges between governments and peoples get closer.

Meles expressed his appreciation for Hu's announcement of eight aid measures for Africa, vowing to make continued efforts to promote a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.