China will work with Ethiopia and other African countries to build up a new type of strategic partnership featuring political equality, reciprocal cooperation, and cultural exchanges, said a leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Wednesday.

"China attaches importance to the ties with Ethiopia and believes this relationship would be further promoted through joint efforts," said Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Bereket Simon, executive committee member of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

Wu said China and Ethiopia have enjoyed traditional friendship, and the exchanges in the political, economic and other fields have been enhanced in recent years.

He noted the CPC would like to further relations with the EPRDF to help promote the relations between the two countries.

Ethiopia is located in east Africa. The EPRDF, the ruling party of Ethiopia, was founded in 1989.

Bereket expressed gratitude for China's long-term assistance to Ethiopia, saying the EPRDF would learn from the CPC on party building.

Bereket is paying his fourth visit to China at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2007)