Addis Ababa (ANN)- Ethiopia has openly aligned itself with China’s position on Taiwan, declaring the island an “inalienable part” of the People’s Republic of China and rejecting any form of Taiwanese self-rule, according to a joint statement issued on Thursday.
The remarks were made during high-level talks in Addis Ababa between China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, and senior Ethiopian officials, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos. Wang, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s politburo, was in Ethiopia from January 7 to 9.
In unusually blunt language, the statement said Ethiopia “firmly opposes” all forms of “Taiwan independence” and backs Beijing’s push for national reunification, citing United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognises the People’s Republic of China as China’s sole representative at the UN.
The declaration places Ethiopia squarely on Beijing’s side in one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical disputes, at a time when tensions over Taiwan continue to strain relations between China and Western powers.
Beyond the Taiwan issue, both governments pledged to accelerate agreements reached at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, deepening what they called an “all-weather” strategic partnership.
Talks covered cooperation in trade, infrastructure, energy, transport and justice, as well as newer areas such as e-commerce, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and green energy.
The two sides also agreed to expand exchanges in culture, education, tourism, media and research, linking these efforts to the 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
China said it supports Ethiopia’s development path and backs Addis Ababa’s resistance to what it described as “external interference” — language often used by Beijing to criticise Western involvement in African affairs.
The joint statement also highlighted Beijing’s growing interest in Ethiopia’s strategic role in the Horn of Africa. China said it “attaches great importance” to Ethiopia’s regional influence, while Ethiopian officials praised the results of China’s “Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa”.
According to the statement, China encouraged countries in the region to deepen connectivity and African integration — including promoting maritime logistics through access to the sea — through dialogue and diplomatic means, while stressing respect for the UN Charter, international law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.
The language points to Beijing’s expanding diplomatic and economic footprint in the Horn of Africa, as Ethiopia positions itself as a key partner in China’s regional peace, development and integration agenda.