Local people welcome the arrival of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his wife Cheng Hong in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, May 4, 2014. Li started an official Africa tour in the country, where he will also visit the headquarters of the African Union (AU). [Photo from China Daily reporter Li Lianxing's post on Sina Weibo]

Respectively as the world's largest developing country and the continent with the most developing countries, China and Africa are natural partners in pursuing common development. China has been Africa's largest trading partner for five consecutive years, while Africa has become an important market and investment destination for China.

As an integral part of the China-Africa ties, the relationship between China and Ethiopia has witnessed steady development since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1970, particularly since they forged a comprehensive cooperative partnership in 2003.

"China is considered to be Ethiopia's strategic development partner," Teshome said in an interview with Chinese journalists on Wednesday, noting that China has also proved itself to be his country's "dependable friend" in its fight against poverty.

"The multifaceted ... relations between Ethiopia and China will continue to grow both in width and depth because of the fact that our bilateral relations are based on mutual trust, mutual understanding and mutual respect," said the president.

For his part, Hailemariam told Chinese reporters on Saturday that Li's visit to Ethiopia will further deepen the already existing relationship between the two countries.

"This witnesses how strong our relationship is, and this relationship is a win-win situation where both Ethiopia and China will benefit," added the prime minister.

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