On January 26, 2011, special envoy of the Chinese government and Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, who is attending the 16th African Union (AU) Summit, met with AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia and Representative to the African Union, Gu Xiaojie, and other officials attended the meeting.

Liu said that currently China-AU relations have maintained a sound growth momentum with increasing exchanges and cooperation in all areas and deepening mutual understanding and trust between both sides. China attaches great importance to AU's important role in international and regional affairs and deems AU its significant partner in Africa. Under the new situation, China is ready to work with the AU to keep the momentum of bilateral high-level exchanges, further expand cooperation and exchanges in all areas and push for comprehensive, in-depth development of China-AU ties.

Jean Ping thanked for China's support of Africa's capacity building and integration process, saying AU hopes to increase high-level contacts with China and keep closer coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Jean Ping also made positive comments on China's great contributions to peace and development in Africa.

Both sides also exchanged views on African hotspot issues and global issues.