On the morning of October 16, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali who is in China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to China.

Li Qiang said that in recent years, under the joint guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Ethiopia relations have developed at a high level, with deepening political mutual trust and fruitful outcomes of mutually beneficial cooperation. China is ready to work with Ethiopia to further carry forward the traditional friendship, remain each other's reliable friend and sincere partner, firmly support each other's domestic stability, development and rejuvenation, advance deeper and more substantive cooperation in various fields, and constantly enrich the dimension of China-Ethiopia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, so as to play an exemplary role in driving China-Africa cooperation and South-South cooperation.

Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development concepts and strategic plans with Ethiopia, further expand practical cooperation in economy and trade, among others, and strengthen the bond of interests between the two countries. By deepening cooperation in infrastructure, communications connectivity and industrial park construction, among others, China will support Ethiopia's industrialization and agricultural modernization process to boost its internal growth drivers. China is ready to import more quality products from Ethiopia, support Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Ethiopia, and explore cooperation in green development, digital economy, artificial intelligence and other emerging fields. The two sides should enhance personnel and cultural exchanges and mutual learning to further consolidate the bilateral friendship. China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia within such multilateral frameworks as the BRICS mechanism, practice multilateralism, oppose hegemonic and bullying practices, and safeguard the common interests of China and Africa as well as international fairness and justice.

Noting that China is Ethiopia's most trustworthy partner and friend, Abiy Ahmed Ali extended appreciation for China's long-time and strong support for Ethiopia's economic and social development and said Ethiopia always abides by the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests. Ethiopia is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, learn from China's development experience, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in industry, agriculture, infrastructure development and other fields. Chinese enterprises are welcome to invest and do business in Ethiopia, and Ethiopia will do its utmost to protect the security of Chinese enterprises and personnel. Ethiopia is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China within the framework of the BRICS mechanism and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to jointly promote South-South cooperation.

After the talks, Premier Li and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents on Belt and Road cooperation, the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, agriculture, culture, health, digital economy, green development, and urban and infrastructure development, among others.

Before the talks, Li Qiang held a welcoming ceremony for Abiy Ahmed Ali at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wu Zhenglong attended the above events.

On the afternoon of the same day, Abiy Ahmed Ali laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes.