On January 9, Eritrean President Isayas Afewerki met with visiting Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Asmara, capital city of Eritrea.

Tang said that Eritrea is the youngest country in Africa and China established its diplomatic relations with Eritrea on the very day it was founded. He noted that China and Eritrea have conducted fruitful cooperation in the political, economic, health, cultural and educational fields since the two countries established diplomatic ties. He stressed that the Chinese government attaches great importance to its relations with Eritrea and is willing to strengthen consultations and cooperation and further cement close bilateral ties. He said that the Chinese government also encourages and supports Chinese companies to actively participate in Eritrea's economic construction, adding that he was confident that with the common efforts, the Sino-Eritrean friendly cooperation will grow continuously.

Isayas spoke highly of Eritrea-China close cooperation and China's sincere support to the Eritrean economic construction. He expressed the belief that China's success in its reform and opening up to the outside world is a great encouragement and inspiration for the developing countries, saying that it is his hope that the Chinese people will make even greater achievements.

Tang also held talks with Eritrean External Affairs Minister Ali Said Abdella. They exchanged views on bilateral relations and situation in Africa and reached a consensus on a wide range of issues. The two countries also signed several documents of cooperation including bilateral economic and technological cooperation agreement.