ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister on Monday called for strengthening the socioeconomic partnership between Ethiopia and China.

Workneh Gebeyehu made the call during his meeting with the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Tan Jian. The foreign minister has on Monday received copies of credentials of the incoming Chinese ambassador.

According to Gebeyehu, the ties between Ethiopia and China has shown consistent upward trajectory over the past years. Gebeyehu further called on strengthening the socioeconomic relations among the two countries to "a higher level."

Gebeyehu, who noted the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn's visit to China during the Road and Belt Initiative Summit of May 2017, also said that the relationship between the two countries "has grown to an excellent level, where the two countries enjoy a comprehensive cooperation and partnership."

The foreign minister, who has also lauded the previous Ambassador of China to Ethiopia, La Yifan, also expressed his high hopes that the ties between the two countries "will even grow to a higher level during the new ambassador's tenure."

According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tan Jian on his part also commended the success of the bilateral cooperation that the two countries have witnessed in trade, investment, infrastructure, manufacturing and other sectors over the years.

The Ethiopian government has previously indicated that its relation with China is given due emphasis as it remains one among the major priority partnerships both in the diplomatic and other sectors.

Ahmed Shide, Ethiopia's Minister of Transport, had previously told Xinhua that Chinese engagement has benefited the east African country both in business and people-to-people relations.

"In the last 20 years the level of economic cooperation with China has grown very fast. It will facilitate industrial manufacturing development, boost Ethiopia's competitiveness," Shide stressed.

"Chinese engagement in Ethiopia is harmonious, contributing to the development of Ethiopia," Shide said, adding that "Chinese personnel, be it workers and businesspeople, are contributing to the development of Ethiopia."