Hailemariam Desalegn, Ethiopian prime minister

Xi said their cooperation has been pioneering within China-Africa relations.

The two sides should maintain high-level exchanges, expand cooperation, and understand and support the core interests and major concerns of each other, Xi said.

The two countries should focus on working together in areas such as connectivity and production capacity, Xi said. Cooperation should be reinforced in areas like youth, women, universities, think tanks, media and culture, he said. China also welcomes expanded cooperation in aviation, Xi added.

China congratulates Ethiopia for joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and supports Ethiopia's boosting the Belt and Road Initiative's role in bridging and bonding Africa.

The Ethiopian prime minister said there has been remarkable progress in cooperation between Ethiopia and China in a wide range of areas like economy and trade, investment, production capacity and infrastructure construction.

The initiative is a farsighted proposal of global significance, and it will be helpful in promoting connectivity and facilitating trade and investment cooperation, he said.