Ethiopia, China agree to cooperation framework deal

Ethiopia and China have agreed to ink a comprehensive cooperation framework deal with a view to strengthening bilateral ties and maximizing mutual benefits, state-run news agency ENA reported.The understanding was reached at a meeting between Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen and a visiting Chinese delegation led by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming, the news agency reported.Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ming said that trade and investment relations between the two countries were flourishing, adding value to the two nations' already strong people-to-people ties.The framework deal is expected to focus largely on the aviation, space sciences, tourism and mining fields.Mekonnen, for his part, expressed Ethiopia's desire to move to a new level of cooperation with China, especially in the aviation and space sciences sectors, among others.Ethiopia-China diplomatic relations were first established in 1970.In 2000, the China-Africa Cooperation Forum was launched, becoming an important platform for dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.China is currently involved in Ethiopia's road-building, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors, among others.