By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Ethiopia, 9 January 2026 China and Ethiopia pledged on Friday to deepen their "all-weather strategic partnership," announcing plans to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence and maritime logistics during a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the Horn of Africa.
In a joint statement following talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos, the two nations committed to a broad range of infrastructure and economic initiatives.
The discussions signal a shift toward high-tech sectors as Beijing seeks to solidify its influence in the region through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
A key focus of the meetings was regional connectivity. China expressed support for Ethiopia’s role in the Horn of Africa and encouraged regional states to deepen integration.
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Significantly, the statement noted China’s support for promoting maritime logistics through access to the sea, a point of interest following recent regional tensions regarding Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions.
The two sides identified several emerging areas for collaboration, moving beyond traditional infrastructure into the digital economy and green energy. They also agreed to increase exchanges in media, education, and think tanks, designating 2026 as the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges."
Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China principle, stating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. For its part, China said it firmly supports the Ethiopian people in exploring a development path that conforms to their national conditions without external interference.
The ministers also highlighted their coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the BRICS group of emerging economies, which Ethiopia officially joined recently. The visit concludes a three-day mission by Wang Yi, who is continuing a tour of Africa that includes stops in Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho.
