In order to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and promote China-Ethiopia economic, trade and legal cooperation, a delegation led by Wang Chengjie, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), visited Ethiopia from February 23-24, 2025 with a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs led by Chen Jian’an, Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) to carry out a series of economic and trade promotion and legal exchanges.

The CIETAC delegation attended the China-Ethiopia Economic and Trade Forum & Promotion Conference for the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo, co-hosted by CCPIT, the Ethiopian Investment Commission, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, and industry associations. The event was addressed by Chen Jian’an, Vice Chairman of CCPIT; Chen Hai, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia; Yasmin Wohabrebbi, State Minister of Trade and Integration of Ethiopia; and Zeleke Temesgen, Director General of the Ethiopian Investment Commission. Over 200 representatives from Chinese and Ethiopian business associations and enterprises participated in the forum, engaging in extensive and in-depth exchanges. The forum aimed to provide strong support for enhancing cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and Ethiopian enterprises, pushing bilateral economic and trade collaboration to new heights.

During their stay in Ethiopia, the CIETAC delegation accompanied Vice Chairman Chen Jian’an to meet with Chen Hai, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia. The two sides held comprehensive and in-depth discussions on Ethiopia’s national conditions, political and economic landscape, and the operations of Chinese-funded enterprises in the country. This exchange provided the delegation with a deeper understanding of Ethiopia’s overall environment and offered valuable insights for advancing future economic and trade cooperation between the two nations. Subsequently, the delegation, along with Vice Chairman Chen Jian’an, met with Hu Changchun, Chinese Ambassador to the African Union (AU), to discuss China-Africa economic and trade cooperation and China’s engagement with the AU. The meeting aimed to build consensus on deepening China-Africa cooperation and explore more collaborative opportunities.

During their visit, the CIETAC delegation accompanied Vice Chairman Chen Jian’an to inspect key economic development projects in Ethiopia, including the Bole Lemi Industrial Park and the Kilinto Industrial Park. In the course of the inspections, park officials provided detailed introductions on the planning, industrial features, and development prospects of the parks. As pivotal measures to attract foreign investment, these industrial parks encompass various new industrial forms such as export processing zones, special economic zones, free trade zones, agricultural product processing zones, and logistics centers, reflecting Ethiopia’s ambitious and proactive approach to economic development and offering vast opportunities for Chinese enterprises to invest in Ethiopia.

Additionally, the delegation visited a number of exemplary achievements of China-Africa public health cooperation, such as the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative jointly built by China, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. The construction of the Africa CDC demonstrates China’s strong support for African countries in the field of public health, playing a significant role in enhancing Africa’s disease prevention and control capabilities. The Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, as a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative in Africa, has greatly promoted economic development and connectivity along its route, serving as a vivid testament to the friendly cooperation among China, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.

In Ethiopia, the CIETAC delegation actively expanded exchanges and cooperation with the local arbitration and legal community. They visited the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations Arbitration Institute and successfully signed a cooperation agreement, laying a solid foundation for in-depth collaboration in the field of arbitration. The delegation also met with Zeelaws, a renowned international law firm in Ethiopia, engaging in face-to-face exchanges with local legal professionals to enhance mutual understanding and explore potential cooperation opportunities.

The extensive exchanges and cooperation between the CIETAC delegation and arbitration, legal, and business communities of Ethiopia yielded fruitful results, which will undoubtedly contribute to the development of arbitration, legal, and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.