Premier Li Keqiang said China-Ethiopia relations maintained stable and healthy development, and their cooperation plays a key role in China-Africa cooperation.

He made the remarks while meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on April 24 in Beijing.

Premier Li said the two nations always respect each other’s core interests and development paths that suit their own national conditions.

China, he said, is willing to work with Ethiopia to enhance high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, and promote the Belt and Road cooperation and implementation of the results achieved at the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

He added that China also is willing to strengthen the connections of each other’s development strategies and policy exchanges, making bilateral cooperation more sustainable.

Meanwhile, China will deepen cooperation with Ethiopia in infrastructure, and support its efforts in economic growth, development of areas near the Addis Ababa Djibouti Railway, and restructuring of the river bank in Addis Ababa.

China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Ethiopia for win-win benefits, he said.

While hailing China as a key partner of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali said China made important contributions to Ethiopia’s economic and social development and people’s well-being.

He said African nations cherish their partnership with China, and Ethiopia is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation with China in all fields, making it a model in South-South and China-Africa cooperation.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements.

State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Xiao Jie also attended the meeting.