AU Chief meets with a senior Chinese official in Ethiopia

The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Jean Ping on Tuesday met and held talks with a high level Chinese delegation led by Jiang Yaoping, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce. The discussion between the two sides was mainly focused on the cooperation between China and Africa in different sectors. Ping said AU is ready to do all possible to further strengthen its ties with China. The Chairperson said China has been working in cooperation with AU member states on various areas, including trade, investment, and diplomatic exchanges. \"We are happy to meet the delegation; a delegation not only as an important partner but as a friend of Africa, a friend with which we are strengthening cooperation constantly,\" said the Chairperson. He also reiterated that Africa is benefited from the relations with China. He said Africa has established an important relations with China within the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC), and the two sides are now engaged in strategic dialogue on very crucial areas. Jiang said that AU has been committed to economic integration in Africa that enable member states improve the livelihoods of Africans. He also said that AU has played a constructive role in meeting global issues like the climate change. The Vice Minister stated that China has become one of the most trading partner of Africa, and the trade volume between China and Africa is increasing from time to time. Leading the delegation, Jiang has also visited the African Union Conference Center (AUCC) Project which is almost completed and is expected to be the avenue of the coming AU Summit for the first time at its own headquarter.