China established the diplomatic relations with Ethiopia November 24, 1970. After the setting up of the diplomatic relations it has seen an overall good relationship between the two countries. During the period of 1977 to 1982 the relations of the two countries once went deteriorated. And by and by it came to be normal after 1983. In recent years, the relations between the two countries maintain a healthy and continuous development tendency with ceaseless mutual visits at high levels and increasing intercourse of personnel.

The economic and technological cooperation between China and Ethiopia was started in 1971 and up to now China has already built for Ethiopia the highway, veterinary station, power station and water-supply projects and so on. The Chinese companies started to take up undertakings there in 1986. Up to the end of 2002, the undertakings contracted by the two parties came to a total value of US$ 710.67 million. The Chinese companies carrying out businesses in Ethiopia mainly include: China Imports and Exports (Group) Corporation for Complete Sets of Equipment, China Highway Bridge Engineering (Group) Corporation, China Water Conservancy & Hydropower Engineering Corporation, China Aviation Technology Exports and Imports Co., China Wanbao Engineering Co., China Construction Corporation, Zhongyuan Petroleum Prospecting Bureau, Jiangxi International Co. and Dalian Jinzhou Textile Group, etc. The bilateral trade between Chinaand Ethiopiawas started in 1956. The year of 2002 saw the total trade value of the two countries reach US$ 100.12 million, of which the Chinese export took up US$ 96.43 million with an import of US$ 3.69 million. The Chinese exports to Ethiopia mainly cover the light industry projects, metal and building materials, mechanic and electric products, and medical and chemical products and so on.

(China.org.cn)