Shewit Shanka, minister of culture and sports of Ethiopia gives her speech at the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in China, on July 24, 2025. Photos: Chen Tao/GT

Themed "Ethiopia Rising: Cultural and Art Performance," the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia hosted an opening ceremony for the Ethiopia-China Business, Culture, and Art Week, complete with cultural performances in Beijing on July 24. 

Meanwhile, the launch ceremony for Ethiopian Coffee Culture Experience Corners and Digital Promotion of Ethiopia was also held. 

The event is part of the celebration of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and China. 

Shewit Shanka, minister of culture and sport of Ethiopia, started her first visit to China on Monday (July 21) with a delegation of 75 members. The Ethiopian cultural troupe will visit BRICS countries, aiming to display the cultural assets of Ethiopia to the rest of the world. China is the first leg of the tour.

Ethiopian Ambassador to China Tefera Derbew Yimam gives opening remarks at the opening ceremony for the Ethiopia-China Business, Culture, and Art Week at the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in China, on July 24, 2025.

In his remarks, Ethiopian Ambassador to China Tefera Derbew Yimam said that the long travel of such a cultural troupe with this kind of magnitude is in itself a clear manifestation of Ethiopians' sincerity and willingness to promote people-to-people relations with friendly countries like China.

Ethiopia Rising: Culture and Art Performances aim to strengthen people-to-people bonds, promote common values, and highlight the beauty of cultural diversity in today's interconnected world. 

This event is not only regarded as Ethiopia's story, but also as a shared African narrative; one that reflects the continent's rich identity, integrated into the global civilization landscape. The event also contributes to the realization of the vision of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the growing cultural synergies within the BRICS countries, the ambassador said. 

At the opening ceremony, Minister Shanka said that this event is more than a performance. 

"This event is also a call to action. We're here to deepen people-to-people connections, promote mutual understanding, and position Ethiopia as a potential destination for tourism and investment."

By showcasing Ethiopia's culture, the country is open to economic partnership, creative collaboration, and dialogue that transcends borders, said Minister Shanka.

In her speech, Xu Rong, director-general of the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation at China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism noted that Ethiopia is a good brother, a good friend, and good partner to China. 

Xu Rong said that culture helps  promote understanding and friendship. She also highlighted that days ago, a Chinese art troupe from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region visited Addis Ababa and presented their show. 

"The fact that we have exchanged cultural events within one month is really a testimony to the depth of cultural interactions between our two countries," she said. 

On Thursday morning, China's Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli met with Minister Shanka and held talks over carrying out cultural cooperation in the future, she shared. 

Betty Xu Junjun, chairperson of the Ethiopia-China Friendship and Cooperation Committee said in her remarks that building on the solid foundation of previous good communication and cooperation, the two sides will focus on promoting the "Ethiopia light up village program," showcase the essence of Ethiopian culture digitally across scenic spots and museums in China and Ethiopia-China cross-border goods exchange initiative in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

A coffee ceremony at the opening ceremony for the Ethiopia-China Business, Culture, and Art Week at the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in China, on July 24, 2025. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

Titled "Kin Ethiopia," the Ethiopia-China Cultural Performance featured more than 42 vibrant Ethiopian traditional music and dance performances. The program was staged at the Capital Library of China on Wednesday, offering the Chinese audience an opportunity to feel the charm of Ethiopian culture and art. 

Government Communication Service State Minister Tesfahun Gobezay told the Global times that culture plays a very important role in further strengthening people-to-people exchanges. 

"The cultural visit and the cultural tour that we are leading to China is believed to increase the already strong relations between our countries.

"Culture, as an image builder, is also a soft power component that contributes a lot to strengthening relations. This tour gives us a chance to engage with the public," he said.

Talking about the results of this visit, the minister said that the delegation has gained a glimpse of further areas of cooperation. The two countries have a lot of engagement in different areas. "For example, after the discussion with the director of Sport Administration of China, we have seen how the two countries can further cooperate in infrastructure development, and sports infrastructure management."

The minister shared that when the news of cultural performance at the Capital Library of China was released, the seats were booked up within an hour. 

"This shows how much the Chinese are eager to enjoy Ethiopian culture and watch its performance." The interaction is expected to attract more Chinese tourists to visit Ethiopia to "come and see cultural diversity."   

Over the past 55 years, China has stood in solidarity with the Ethiopian government and Ethiopia has always supported territorial integrity, and the sovereignty of the country, and also stood very firm on the one-China principle, he said, recalling that Ethiopia has played a crucial role in mobilizing other African countries to support China's bid to be one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

The past 55 years have also witnessed the fast growth of   the bilateral relationship in "economic and infrastructure development. Now China is the number one source of foreign imports, foreign direct investment, foreign constructors, and foreign employers in Ethiopia," Minister Gobezay said. 

China and Ethiopia have platforms such as BRICS and FOCAC for annual discussion over South-South cooperation. Minister Gobezay said that it is expected that in the next 55 years, the partnership will grow ever stronger, and the economies will develop, benefiting the people of both countries. 

The Kin Ethiopia program also included an exhibition titled Ethiopia: Rhythm of Scenery and Culture, an authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony, as well as Chinese cultural performances.