Addis Ababa, September 17, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia-China cooperation is expanding across infrastructure, trade, education, healthcare, artificial intelligence and other strategic sectors, reflecting the deepening of the two countries’ all-weather strategic partnership, Chinese Embassy Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Sun Mingxi said.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Chinese Embassy in Addis Ababa on Thursday, Sun highlighted recent developments in bilateral cooperation, including major infrastructure projects, growing trade and logistics links, people-to-people exchanges, medical cooperation and emerging collaboration in artificial intelligence.
He said the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Ethiopia and China had continued to deepen in 2026 under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ leaders, producing “rich results” across multiple fields.
The partnership was established in 2023, when the two countries elevated their relations during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Beijing. The two sides have continued to describe the partnership as a framework for expanding cooperation in traditional and emerging sectors.
Sun pointed to the recent expansion of the Mojo Dry Port as one of the latest examples of infrastructure cooperation. He said the project, built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, is expected to increase annual cargo-handling capacity from 520,000 TEUs to 1.6 million TEUs and reduce average cargo dwell time from 60 days to eight days.
The expansion was inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week as part of Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen its logistics capacity and advance regional trade and economic integration.
Sun also cited the Aysha Wind Power Project in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, which he said began operation in January with an installed capacity of 120 megawatts, describing it as Ethiopia’s largest wind power project to date.
He further highlighted an agreement between Ethiopian Electric Power and Norinco International for the construction of the Assosa 2,400-kV substation, while noting that China has remained Ethiopia’s largest trading partner and a major source of investment.
Trade and logistics cooperation is also gaining momentum, according to Sun, who said China’s zero-tariff treatment for African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing now includes Ethiopia.
He said the policy is directly benefiting Ethiopian coffee and other products, noting that China has become the fourth-largest export market for Ethiopian coffee.
Sun also cited the Ethiopia Special Session of the “Export to China” program held in Addis Ababa on August 19, where enterprises signed 33 cooperation agreements valued at more than 330 million U.S. dollars.
He said the opening of an Ethiopian Airlines all-cargo service between Chengdu and Addis Ababa on August 28, operating twice a week, would further strengthen trade links between the two countries.
People-to-people cooperation is another expanding dimension of the partnership, Sun said, pointing to a recently signed agreement on Chinese-language education under which China will support Ethiopia over the next five years through curriculum development, teaching experts, textbooks and teacher training.
He also highlighted agricultural training programs involving Ethiopian officials, as well as workshops on dryland agriculture, water-saving irrigation and green and low-carbon development held in China.
Medical cooperation, which dates back decades, remains another important component of Ethiopia-China relations, Sun said.
According to the Chargé d’Affaires, China has sent 27 medical teams to Ethiopia since 1974. He said the 26th medical team treated about 76,000 patient visits, conducted more than 3,200 surgeries and helped 506 cataract patients regain their sight during its tenure.
He also highlighted the launch in Addis Ababa in July of the China-Africa Minimally Invasive Medicine Partnership Program, including the establishment of the China-Africa Surgical Robot Training Center — Ethiopia Center and the China-Africa Endoscopic Technology Training Center — Ethiopia Center.
On emerging areas of cooperation, Sun said Ethiopia’s participation in the newly established World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) could open new opportunities for bilateral collaboration in artificial intelligence, the digital economy and other technology-driven sectors.
Ethiopia signed the agreement establishing WAICO in Shanghai in July as one of its 29 founding member states and one of 10 African founding members, according to Sun.
Beyond bilateral relations, the Chargé d’Affaires briefed journalists on China’s economic development, technological advances, green transition and international cooperation, as well as China’s engagement with Africa and the BRICS cooperation mechanism.
He said Ethiopia-China trade reached 239.581 billion U.S. dollars from January to July 2026, marking a 23.5-percent year-on-year increase, while noting that several African agricultural and food products have gained wider access to the Chinese market.
Sun also highlighted China’s implementation of zero-tariff treatment for the 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, saying the measure is intended to expand African exports to the Chinese market.
The briefing was held as part of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, providing an overview of China’s modernization drive, Ethiopia-China relations and cooperation under BRICS.
Ethiopia and China are both members of BRICS, with the two countries also maintaining extensive cooperation through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and other multilateral platforms. Ethiopia joined BRICS in 2024, while bilateral ties have continued to develop alongside cooperation in infrastructure, trade, energy, digital technology and other sectors.