China & Ethiopia Brew Up Collaboration

As the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation kicks off in Beijing this week, all eyes are on Ethiopia—a nation synonymous with coffee culture and a rising star in China’s Belt and Road partnerships. Themed \"Joining Hands to Advance Modernization\", the event will spotlight economic synergy, infrastructure projects, and cultural bonds between China and African nations.

In a lively pre-forum roundtable hosted by CGTN, Ethiopian Ambassador to China Tefera Derbew Yimam highlighted Ethiopia’s role as \"a gateway for Chinese innovation in East Africa\". Meanwhile, Huajian Group Chairman Zhang Huarong shared how his footwear company built factories in Ethiopia, creating over 8,000 jobs. Ethiopian student Michael Aliyi Ame added a Gen-Z perspective, saying: \"Studying in China taught me tech skills I’ll use to upgrade Ethiopian agriculture.\"

From coffee exports to digital infrastructure, the dialogue emphasized mutual gains. With 60+ events planned at the forum—including entrepreneur summits and cultural performances—the China-Africa partnership is brewing something stronger than espresso.

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Live: How do China and Ethiopia share common development?

cgtn.com