Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Monday called for the establishment of a new strategic partnership between Africa and China, saying that Africa's relations with China have evolved into market-oriented economic engagement.

"I think it is high time that Africa and China precisely decide to establish a new strategic partnership," said Meles in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the eve of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

"The current challenge to both Africa and China is eliminating poverty and developing economy. We have to redefine the relationship around these core issues," said Meles. "Our interest largely coincides on both issues, paving a way for a new strategic partnership between Africa and China. The Beijing summit will offer us an opportunity for doing so."

On China's investment and trade cooperation with Africa, Meles said China's interest in Africa was "very welcome" and that cooperation had resulted in "dividends for both parties."

China's imports of oil and minerals from Africa satisfied the need of its fast-growing economy, he said, adding that the prices of Africa's oil and minerals have increased significantly as a result of China's big buying power. "That is directly in the interest of Africa," said Meles.

Africa exports mainly unprocessed primary products which are low value added, said the Ethiopian prime minister. Africa wants more Chinese firms to set up processing plants for these primary products, he said.

"There is an interest to add value to these products within Africa and export these value added products to outside Africa," said Meles.

As to Ethiopia's cooperation with China, he said bilateral cooperation in the fields of roads, hydropower and telecommunication is "very encouraging."

The Chinese construction companies like China Road and Bridge Corporation have created a lot of jobs and improved the standard of living of poor local people, said Meles.

The Chinese firms never mistreated and underpaid Ethiopian workers, according to the prime minister. The Chinese firms also paid greater attention to the safety of Ethiopian workers, he said, adding that they had good safety standards for local people.

China has become a key partner in trade for Ethiopia, said Meles. Ethiopia's exports to China have jumped following China's declaration of duty-free market access to African goods.

He also said China is a very important source of foreign direct investment and technical assistance to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia admires China's technological level and expects China to expand technical assistance to Ethiopia, according to Meles.

Talking about the upcoming FOCAC's Beijing summit, he said the FOCAC has become a platform for dialogues and cooperation between the two sides.

"Ethiopia, FOCAC's co-chair country, is eager to play a positive role in that summit," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2006)