One is the second most populous country in Africa, the other the most populous in the world. One is the largest economy in East Africa, the other the second largest economy in the world. One is the place of origin for coffee, the other the place of origin for tea. Both Ethiopia and China can boast of ancient civilizations that date back thousands of years and that have enriched the world.

Ethiopia, with a population of over 100 million, and strategically located between the Arab world and sub-Sahara, is seen as a gateway to the African continent. After all Addis Ababa, capital of the only African country that was never colonized, is also the seat of the African Union headquarters.

Both Ethiopia and China cherish extended families and social collectivism. And cultural and historical linkages between the two countries have borne rich fruits in the new era. The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1970. Since then, China has dispatched medical teams and agricultural experts to Ethiopia. The story of doctor Mei Gengnian, who sacrificed his life while serving as the very first Chinese medical team leader in Ethiopia, is the very embodiment of friendship between the two peoples.

The two developing countries have similar goals - economic development and improvement of people's well-being. China has been working with the Ethiopian side to implement its commitments effectively and has reaped a fruitful harvest.

Ever since bilateral ties were upgraded to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in 2017, ties between the two sides have gone from strength to strength and cooperation in various areas has deepened.

The two countries have had frequent high-level exchanges, between governments, ruling parties, think tanks, social and cultural groups and people-to-people, both at the central and regional levels.

Economic cooperation and trade have made steady progress. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has visited China twice, to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit in 2018 and the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2019. Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, the top legislature, Li Zhanshu paid an official visit just a month after the new Ethiopian leadership took office in May 2018. State Counselor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Ethiopia in January 2019, the first visit by the top diplomat this year.

China is now the biggest trading partner and the single largest foreign direct investment source for Ethiopia. Contributions are visible in various sectors, in the first industrial park, the first wind power station, the first highway, the first light railway and the first cross-border electric railway. The investment in infrastructure has laid a solid foundation for Ethiopia to secure a continuous rapid GDP growth rate in the past decade.

Take the case of the Eastern Industrial Zone. Ethiopia's first industrial park was launched by a Chinese entrepreneur in 2008. By the end of June 2019, more than 103 companies had moved in with an accumulated investment of $609 million, which has created more than 15,000 jobs for the local communities and generated more than $780 million in tax revenue. The second phase of the East Industrial Zone's development will start soon. In the coming years the focus of cooperation will be more on investing in Ethiopia, taking advantage of and maximizing the benefits of the existing infrastructure. China and Ethiopia have been striding toward win-win cooperation and common prosperity.

The significance of ties between the two countries goes beyond bilateral connotations since it has become a model for China-Africa and South-South cooperation. A friend in need is a friend indeed. China and Ethiopia have always come forward to demonstrate solidarity with each other. China has not forgotten Ethiopia's support to the effort to restore its lawful seat at the United Nations in 1971. Also, China has always been a staunch supporter of Ethiopia's pursuit of a development path that suits its national conditions. Against the backdrop of rising protectionism and unilateralism, China and Ethiopia stand for multilateralism and a free and fair trading system. Development of the two countries will strengthen developing countries as a whole and help preserve the global free trading system and ultimately world peace and prosperity.

China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and Ethiopia is an important player in the international arena. China appreciates Ethiopia's indispensable contribution to maintaining regional peace and stability. Ethiopia is the biggest contributor of troops to UN Peacekeeping Operations, and China ranks first among the permanent members of the UN Security Council in the same field. The two countries have been collaborating toward safeguarding the post-World War II multilateral order and institutions, and are also making efforts to improve the global governance system. Standing shoulder to shoulder, China and Ethiopia are striving for a community with a shared future for all mankind.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, while 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic ties with Ethiopia.

In 2018, during the FOCAC Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping launched eight major initiatives for engagement with African countries over the next three years and beyond in fields such as industrial promotion, infrastructure and connectivity, trade facilitation, green development. As one of China's key partners for the Belt and Road Initiative on the African continent, Ethiopia is working hard to make optimal use of the dual driving force of FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Ethiopia is making remarkable headway in achieving its grand renaissance; and China is working hard for its national rejuvenation. With shared resolve and common goals, both countries are willing to be each other's long-term and reliable partners, and are determined to take bilateral relations to a new high.

The author is Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia.

The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.

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