I. Introduction
From January 7 to January 9, Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Ethiopia in 2026, undertaken as part of the long-standing tradition of Chinese foreign ministers making Africa their first destination of the New Year, is significant both in its timing and substance. For the past 36 years, China has consistently prioritised Africa in this symbolic diplomatic practice. Yet the value of this tradition extends well beyond symbolism. It provides a precious opportunity for the engagement between China and the selected African partners bilaterally, to assess the depth of cooperation, and recalibrate strategic priorities in light of evolving global and regional dynamics. For instance, the visit in 2020 resulted in the launch of China-Horn of Africa initiative on peace, development and governance.
Against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical rivalry, global uncertainty, and regional instability, Ethiopia’s selection as the first destination of Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit carries particular weight. Ethiopia remains the most frequently visited (8 times)** African country in this annual diplomatic tour-a reflection of its strategic importance in China ’ s diplomacy. The most recent itinerary, which included Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho, underscores China’s differentiated engagement with key African partners. The much anticipated visit to Somalia, the first since the 1980’s have been postponed as reported by the Federal Ministry of Affairs. Some attributed it to security concern, however .
This brief article highlights the significance of the Foreign Minister’s visit to Ethiopia, framing it within the broader context of Ethiopia-China relations and contemporary regional and global developments.
II. Ethiopia–China Partnership: A Strategic Perspective
Over the past two and a half decades-particularly since the establishment of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), relations between Ethiopia and China have evolved from basic economic and technical cooperation into a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in 2017, and into an All-Weather Strategic Partnership in 2023. What began as modest engagement in aid, trade, and technical assistance, has expanded into a broad-based strategic partnership aligned with the development priorities of both countries.
The durability and depth of the partnership rest on several core principles: equality between partners, equity in relations, mutual respect, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. These values have played a pivotal role in cultivating trust and sustaining cooperation. In diplomatic practice, treating each other as equals is meant the absence of political conditionalities, external imposition, or interference in domestic affairs. China’s engagement with Ethiopia, characterised by flexibility, respect for Ethiopia’s policy choices, and alignment with nationally defined priorities- are principles that have made China a development partner of choice.
China’s unprecedented transformation over the past four decades served as a source of inspiration for many countries in the Global South, including Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s interest in learning from and benchmarking China’s development experience encouraged extensive interaction between the two sides. It should, however be noted that Ethiopia never sought to replicate the Chinese development or governance model wholesale, fully aware of contextual differences in history, culture, and political economy.
The launch of FOCAC in 2000 coincided with Ethiopia’s growing emphasis on economic diplomacy. Ethiopia’s active participation in FOCAC activities, and China’s major global initiatives provided strong momentum for enhancing the bilateral relations. Within the context of their respective national priorities, both countries have found strategic value in each other. The Ethiopia–China partnership has thus acquired symbolic significance as a successful model of South-South cooperation.
III. Ethiopia’s Priorities in Engagement with China
Ethiopia’s Growth and Transformation Plans and, more recently, the Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda clearly articulate the country’s priorities in engaging with China. Key focus areas include infrastructure development, industrialisation, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade, technology transfer, and development financing.
China’s contribution to Ethiopia’s infrastructure development is unparalleled. For over a decade, Chinese investment has consistently ranked first among sources of FDI in Ethiopia. According to data from the Ethiopian Investment Commission, nearly half of Ethiopia’s FDI inflows originate from China. Chinese enterprises have played a critical role in the development of industrial parks and in advancing Ethiopia’s industrialisation drive.
Trade between Ethiopia and China has expanded significantly, mirroring the broader growth of China–Africa trade. However, the persistent trade imbalance in China’s favour reminds us the need for enhanced efforts in value addition, productivity improvement, and export diversification. At the same time, the expansion of China ’ s middle class and consumer market presents substantial opportunities for Ethiopian exports, particularly in agro-processing and manufactured goods.
Financing for development remains a central pillar of the Ethiopia – China partnership. China is Ethiopia’s largest bilateral creditor according to official data. Recent agreements on debt suspension and repayment under the G20 Common Framework have opened avenues not only for addressing existing debt challenges but also for accessing new financing for ongoing and future development projects. Given Ethiopia ’ s ambitious transformation agenda, sustained partnership with China remains imperative.
Looking ahead, cooperation in the digital economy, artificial intelligence, mining, and people-to-people exchanges aligns well with Ethiopia ’ s evolving priorities and offers significant potential for further deepening bilateral engagement.
IV. The Significance of Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s Visit
This is not Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s first visit to Ethiopia. This visit is the third time that Ethiopia is selected in the list under the tradition of the New Y ear’s 1st visit to Africa, during his tenure as Chinese Foreign Minister. The prior two visits were in 2014 and 2019. In particular, after Wang Yi assumed the role of China’s Foreign Minister in 2013, Ethiopia was selected as the first stop of his New Year visit to Africa in 2014. During my tenure as Ethiopian Ambassador (2019-2022), I experienced his visit to Ethiopia twice. The first time was his 2019 New Year Visit. During that visit, he focused on bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual concern. His 2021 visit, however , stands out for its political significance. Conducted amid the conflict in northern Ethiopia, it represented a clear demonstration of solidarity with the Ethiopian government and people at a time when many Western countries were evacuating their citizens.That visit sent an unmistakable message: China does not abandon its partners in times of difficulty.
This stance reflects China’s long-standing foreign policy principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also resonated with Ethiopia’s own demonstration of solidarity with China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite immense challenges, Ethiopia maintained Ethiopian Airlines operations to China when many carriers suspended flights. Ethiopia also publicly supported China’s pandemic response at a time when many countries evacuated their students and citizens from China.
The timing of the current visit is equally significant. It comes at a moment of heightened regional and global uncertainty. Developments in the Horn of Africa unfolding, including tensions related to maritime access and questions of sovereignty, as well as broader global challenges to international governance, are issues of mutual concern to both Ethiopia and China. Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s subsequent visit to Somalia further underscores China’s consistent policy of supporting unity and territorial integrity-principles that align closely with Ethiopia ’ s own positions and with China’s “One China” policy. Ethiopia’s support for several Chinese initiatives including Global Development Initiatives, Global Security Initiatives, Global Civilization Initiatives and the recent Global Governance Initiative was reassured.
The foreign minister had policy level engagement with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and also with Ethiopian counter part, Gedion Temothewos. The press release issued for the first time at the end of such visits, as expected, covered both bilateral and regional and global issues of common concern.
Bilaterally, it covered the traditional and what the Prime Minster referred to as “emerging” sectors to further strengthen the all weather strategic partnership. Understandably, the core principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity have reiterated. Although the press release was silent on the Israeli recognition of Somaliland, it was implied by the highlight of the territorial integrity.
The one-China policy principle has been elaborated and reaffirmed by the Ethiopian. Ethiopia’s quest to access to the sea has been included as maritime logistics and emphasising through diplomatic and peaceful dialogue. This fits in well the Ethiopia’s preferred option. Respect for UN charter has been referred to more than once and rejection to external interference, subtly addressing the situation in Venezuela.
V. Conclusion
Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Ethiopia reinforces the depth, resilience, and strategic nature of the Ethiopia-China All Weather Strategic Partnership. Beyond diplomatic symbolism, the visit reflects shared principles, converging interests, and a mutual commitment to navigating an increasingly complex regional and global environment. As Ethiopia advances its ambitious development agenda, and as China continues to recalibrate its engagement with Africa, the partnership remains a cornerstone of South – South cooperation and a model for equitable and mutually beneficial international relations.
* Teshome Toga Chanaka (PhD) is Former Ambassador of Ethiopia to China (2019–2022). The author’s PhD dissertation was on Ethiopia–China relations, within the framework of China–Africa Cooperation. The views and opinions are the author’s own only.
** 1991,1994, 2002, 2008, 2014, 2019, 2023, 2026 FM Wang Yi also visited Ethiopia in 2021 which was not part of the traditional new year visit.
*** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of or Independent Media.
