Chinese President meets Ethiopian PM on bilateral cooperation

（Xinhua）  09:21, June 15, 2013  

BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met here on Friday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on advancing bilateral cooperation.

Xi said the development of bilateral relations offers a great opportunity as the two countries are both at a crucial period of nation building and have a similar governing philosophy.

He said the two sides should enhance political guidance and overall planning of their relations, maintain high-level exchanges and deepen exchanges of state governance experiences.

He also called on the two countries to upgrade and strengthen cooperation in major areas.

The president congratulated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, adding that China supports the self reliance of the continent's countries.

China believes the international community should enhance cooperation with Africa, in a bid to promote the continent's development and achieve common prosperity, he said.

The international community should fully respect African countries' development path and forge a partnership with the continent based on equality, mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win, said the president.

China will continue to call on relevant parties to respect Africa's aspiration for independent development and fulfill their commitments to Africa, in order to help the continent achieve greater development, he said.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is an effective mechanism, he said, noting that China is willing to work with Ethiopia to enhance the building of the forum.