The Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping held talks on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 and agreed to boost the cooperation the two nations have.

Xi called Mulatu an old friend to the Chinese people and appreciated the fact he made his first foreign visit to China since taking office.

The Chinese President also noted Mulatu’s visit to China makes a great contribution to the friendship as well as the cooperation the two countries have developed in the past years.

The relationship between China and Ethiopia is the vanguard for China and the rest of Africa, Xi furthered.

According to Xinhua China will support Ethiopia’s drive for prosperity, increase exchanges on governance, and boost practical cooperation in all fields.

The Chinese government encourages investors to work in Ethiopia, share experience with Ethiopians and cooperate in technology transfer, the Chinese President noted.

Mulatu on his part said the two countries trust as well as sympathize one another and appreciated the Chinese government’s enduring support and assistance. He added the bilateral friendship of the two nations’ enjoys a solid foundation.

Ethiopia is working to accelerate economic development and it hopes to share experiences from China in addition to welcoming Chinese investors. Mulatu noted highlighting fields of cooperation such as agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure.

The Ethiopian President added it is his belief Ethiopia-China cooperation will contribute more to the ties between China and the entire African continent.

Source: Xinhua