ADDIS ABABA: Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu, who was in Addis Ababa to attend the funeral of Ethiopia's late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, met with Ethiopian acting Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn this week to discuss the country's future. Hui first once again expressed profound condolences over the death of late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on behalf of the Chinese government and people. He also appreciated Meles' great contributions to Ethiopia's national construction, and to developing China-Ethiopia comprehensive cooperative partnership and promoting the development of Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Hui said China cherishes the traditional friendship with Ethiopia and deems it an all-weather friend and China's important cooperative partner in Africa. China is pleased to see frequent high-level exchanges, deepening political mutual trust, fruitful cooperation and increasing exchanges in the fields of economy, trade, culture, education, and agriculture between the two countries in recent years. The Chinese government is willing to continue to strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia in many fields, and in particular, to implement the agreements reached within the framework of FOCAC. China is also willing to make its own contribution to Ethiopia's economic development and continue to deepen bilateral relations through multi-field cooperation. He believed that under the joint efforts of both sides, bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership will make more progress. Hailemariam thanked Vice Premier Hui Liangyu for making a special trip to attend the funeral as representative of the Chinese government. A friend in need is a friend indeed. He said it fully shows the special brotherhood between the two governments and peoples. At this moment of grief, the Ethiopian side keenly felt and was grateful for China's strong support. He said the Ethiopian government and people cherish the traditional friendly relations with China and look forward to learning from China's unique experience in economic development. Ethiopia hopes to continue to get support from China in infrastructure, private sector development and other economic fields and implement cooperation measures within the framework of FOCAC. Ethiopia will adhere to the policies set by late Prime Minister Meles and continue to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries in a bid to push forward Ethiopia-China relations.
