Ethiopia, China agree to enhance military cooperation

Addis Ababa, September 5, 2017 (FBC) – A high-level military delegation from Ethiopia, led by Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of General Staff of the National Defense Forces, is attending the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

The forum, which has drawn over 500 representatives from more than 100 countries and international organizations, also features participation from over 200 scholars and experts from both China and abroad. Notably, more than 30 defense ministers and military leaders are in attendance, alongside senior officials from various international and regional bodies.

During the forum, Field Marshal Berhanu met with General Liu Zhenli, Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the People’s Liberation Army of China, to discuss enhancing military collaboration. The two sides agreed to focus on fifth-generation warfare, technology transfers, military equipment, and capacity building.

Following their discussions, the two leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize their commitments. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to China, Tefera Derbew, expressed to Fana Broadcasting Corporation that the senior military delegation’s participation in the forum and subsequent bilateral meetings is expected to strengthen the capabilities of the Ethiopian defense forces.