Ethiopia-China Economic and Trade Forum kicks off in Addis Ababa

The Ethiopia-China Economic and Trade Forum was held in the capital Addis Ababa on Monday, bringing together high-level officials and business leaders from both nations.

The event also served as a promotion conference for the upcoming third China International Supply Chain Expo which is slated for July 16-20.

Co-hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Ethiopian Investment Commission, and Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, over 200 people, including officials, business representatives and media of both countries attended the forum.

Negus Kebede, director-general of Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that over the decades, Ethiopia and China have deepened their cooperation across multiple sectors, making Ethiopia one of the pioneering African countries to embrace the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"Ethiopia is undergoing an economic transformation, opening vast investment opportunities across multiple sectors. Our all-weather strategic partnership with China has been instrumental to deepen our collaboration in key economic sectors," Kebede said.

During the meeting, representatives of both sides introduced their respective business environments, conducted corporate matchmaking, and had discussions on deepening cooperation.

"We've noticed some demands from Africa in infrastructure and mining. We hope to conduct in-depth conversations with Ethiopian proprietors and project leaders to further discuss cooperation opportunities," said Chen Yu, representative of a Chinese manufacturing company.

"For us, a petrochemical company, we have crucial projects in South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria. We hope to extend our projects to more countries in Africa, so as to further enhance their industrialization level and promote China-Africa economic and trade cooperation," said He Zhaowang, representative of a Chinese petrochemical enterprise.

Ethiopia-China Economic and Trade Forum kicks off in Addis Ababa

The closing ceremony of a study session for provincial and ministerial leaders was held in Beijing on Friday, when the high-ranking officials were urged to make all-out efforts to advance this year's economic and social development work and kick off the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) with a sound start.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, made the requirement while addressing the closing ceremony.

The study session was held this week for the officials to study and implement the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Stressing the importance of a speech delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, at the opening ceremony of the study session, Cai urged the officials to maintain strategic resolve, strengthen confidence in victory, actively take responsibility, and strive to turn the grand blueprint into reality. 　　 During the study session, the officials had in-depth discussions and combined theory with practice, further deepening their understanding of the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. 　　 Cai urged the officials to make good use of the outcomes of the study session and turn what they have learned into concrete results in their work.

Study session for provincial officials concludes