At a high-level conference in Addis Ababa, Chinese and Ethiopian officials called for strengthening multifaceted cooperation between China and Africa under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The conference, titled “Revisiting Ethiopia’s Role in the FOCAC and the Way Forward,” highlighted the significant achievements and future prospects of China-Africa relations.
Eshete Tilahun, head of the Office of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized FOCAC’s role as a robust platform promoting Africa-China cooperation. “Since its inception in 2000, FOCAC has been instrumental in fostering cooperation. It is a testament to the shared aspiration, mutual respect, and collaborative spirit between China and Africa,” Tilahun stated. He noted that FOCAC supports critical infrastructure development, enhances connectivity, boosts trade activities, attracts foreign direct investment, and fosters entrepreneurship across Africa.
Yang Yihang, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, highlighted the fruitful results achieved under the FOCAC framework, making China Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. “By the end of 2023, more than 500 Chinese enterprises had invested in over 2,000 projects in Ethiopia, with a cumulative investment of about $5 billion, creating 580,000 job opportunities,” Yang said. He expressed China’s commitment to encouraging companies to seize investment opportunities in Ethiopia and Africa, exploring cooperation in infrastructure, the digital economy, renewable energy, and agriculture.
The conference aimed to assess Ethiopia’s proactive approach to promoting cooperation through FOCAC and to explore future areas of collaboration. Anteneh Getachew, director general of Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Institute of Foreign Affairs, underscored the importance of enhancing Ethiopia’s role within the FOCAC platform. Organized by the Ethiopian Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, the event attracted significant attention from policymakers and stakeholders.
As China and Africa embark on a journey marked by dialogue, exchange of views, and joint efforts, the call for strengthening cooperation under FOCAC reflects a shared commitment to sustainable development. The expansion of infrastructure and people-to-people connectivity remains at the forefront of this partnership, promising a future of mutual benefit and growth for both regions.
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Officials call for strengthening China-Africa cooperation under FOCAC
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