Bilateral Political Relations

China and Ethiopia established diplomatic relations on November 24, 1970. In recent years, the relationship between the two countries has shown healthy and sustained development.  
Key visits from the Chinese side include: Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee (July 2023, January 2014 and June 2017 as Minister of Foreign Affairs, January 2019 and December 2021 as State Councilor and Foreign Minister), and Luosang Jiangcun, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (November 2023).  
Key visits from the Ethiopian side include: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made an official visit to China to attended the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October 2023, made another official visit to China in September 2024 while attending the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations and Economic-Technical Cooperation
China-Ethiopia economic and technical cooperation began in 1971. The two countries have signed agreements on trade and economic-technical cooperation. To date, China has completed a series of projects in Ethiopia, including highways, veterinary stations, power stations, and water supply projects. In 2024, bilateral trade volume reached $3.55 billion, an increase of 17.5% year-on-year. China primarily exports light industrial products, high-tech products, machinery and equipment, textiles, and pharmaceutical and chemical products, while importing sesame, frankincense, myrrh, leather, cotton, and coffee. Ethiopia is China's largest source of sesame imports. China is Ethiopia's largest trading partner, largest source of investment, and largest contractor for engineering projects.  

Exchanges and Cooperation in Culture, Education, Health and Other Fields  
The two countries signed a cultural cooperation agreement in 1988. Cultural delegations and performance troupes frequently exchange visits. From 2022 to 2023, there were 3,732 Ethiopian students studying in China. Currently, there are two Confucius Institutes in Ethiopia. Since 1974, China has sent 26 medical teams totaling 407 personnel to Ethiopia. At present, there are 16 Chinese medical team members in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is the first African country to host Chinese youth volunteers and a destination for outbound group tourism by Chinese citizens. Ethiopian Airlines operates flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, and other cities, making it the African airline with the most flights to China.