Selassie made this remark on the eve of the launch of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges at the African Union headquarters, in the presence of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

The initiative aims to foster stronger ties between the peoples of both sides by boosting collaboration in education, innovation, culture, and social engagement.

The Ethiopian president described this partnership as a relationship based on centuries of history, equality, and mutual respect. “This historical bond has established a solid foundation for a relationship defined by dignity and mutual respect,” he said, emphasizing that it should catalyze shared growth and prosperity.

Upon highlighting its development, the head of State noted that what began in the 1980s as primarily a government-to-government commitment has matured into diversified cooperation encompassing investment, technology, and capacity building.

Selassie also acknowledged China’s achievements in poverty eradication and technological innovation as a source of inspiration for Africa’s pursuit of self-sufficiency and technological autonomy.

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