The statement was released after Ahmed and Xi met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, along with their respective delegations.

The Ethiopian head of Government arrived in this capital on Monday for an official State visit and to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

During the meeting, Ahmed noted the importance of Chinese investment in Ethiopia’s economy to encourage more investment in the five key pillars: agriculture, manufacture, information and communication technology, mining, and tourism.

The Chinese president, in turn, congratulated the Ethiopian prime minister for joining the BRICS Group, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and announced the improvement of the partnership between the two countries from the Comprehensive and Enduring Strategic Cooperative Partnership level to an All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership level.

Xi praised Ethiopia’s achievements in the Green Legacy Initiative to mitigate the effects of climate change, noted its alignment with China’s green development policy, and affirmed that it would be an integral part of the green belt and road program, according to the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Office.

The 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation opened on Tuesday with the participation of representatives from more than 140 nations and 30 global organizations.

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