China, Ethiopia Will Continue to Play Model Role in Belt and Road Cooperation, Says Ambassador Jian

 Addis Ababa  April /2019 Ambassador Tan Jian said that "under the leadership of Dr. Abiy and against the backdrop of the profound reform efforts in Ethiopia, the comprehensive strategic partnership between the countries will continue to be at the forefront of China-Africa relations and play a model role in the framework of the Belt and Road cooperation.”

China's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Tan Jian, said that "under the leadership of Dr. Abiy and against the backdrop of the profound reform efforts in Ethiopia, the comprehensive strategic partnership between the countries will continue to be at the forefront of China-Africa relations and play a model role in the framework of the Belt and Road cooperation.”

At a press conference he gave today on the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Ambassador Tan Jian said the initiative is the new driving force in China-Ethiopia relations, following the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

“Ethiopia is among the first batch of African countries who signed cooperation documents concerning jointly building the Belt and Road, and China supports Ethiopia in playing a bigger role as a bridge and a link for jointly advancing the BRI in Africa,” he added.

According to the ambassador, over 100 countries and about 40 leaders have confirmed their attendance to the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will attend the forum to be held next week upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, he revealed.

A total of 124 countries and 29 international organizations, including Ethiopia, have so far signed BRI cooperation documents with China, it was learned.

The First Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was successfully held in 2015 in Beijing, where the former prime minister  of Ethiopia participated.