On the afternoon of June 18, 2020, the CAI held a video conference with the Ethiopian Embassy in China. Li Xinfeng, Executive Vice President of the CAI, and H.E. Mr. Teshome Toga, Ethiopian Ambassador to China attended the conference.

Also present at the conference were Liu Yingxiang, Director of the Asian-African Division of the International Cooperation Bureau of the CASS; Liu Naiya, Director of the Social and Cultural Research Division of the CAI; Zhang Yongpeng, a researcher at the CAI; Qi Qiangfei, an assistant researcher of the CAI and the Deputy of the Ethiopian Embassy Curator Mr. Genet Teshome Jirru; Minister Counselor Mr. Samuel Fitsumbirhan.The conference was hosted by Li Xinfeng.

Li Xinfeng expressed his warm welcome to Ethiopian diplomats to attend the conference. He pointed out that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ethiopia,  the conference was held online during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference not only review the traditional friendship between the two sides, but also to look forward to the in-depth cooperation between the two sides in the future.

H.E. Mr. Teshome Toga, Ethiopian Ambassador to China reviewed the friendly relations between Ethiopia and China over the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and proposed that the two sides should jointly organize the "Ethiopia-Chinese Civilization Dialogue Conference" on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Li Xinfeng believes that China and Ethiopia are both ancient civilizations and both have a splendid and glorious history. Holding the "Ethiopia-Chinese Civilization Dialogue Conference" can well summarize and demonstrate the friendly relations between the two countries. The China African Research Institute will fully support this conference and is willing to work with Ethiopia to promote bilateral cooperation between China and Ethiopia.

H.E. Mr. Teshome Toga, Ethiopian Ambassador to China also introduced the current situation of Ethiopia, and exchanged opinions and views with Chinese experts and scholars such as Liu Naiya and Zhang Yongpeng on bilateral relations between China and Ethiopia and regional hotspot issues.

Liu Yingxiang said that the Bureau of International Cooperation of the CASS will fully support the holding of the "Ethiopia-Chinese Civilization Dialogue Conference" and other related activities, and solidly promote the implementation of related cooperation projects.

In summing up the conference, Li Xinfeng said that China and Ethiopia should strengthen academic exchanges and cooperation.The CAI is willing to cooperate with Ethiopia on the training of young scholars and the joint research of Chinese Ethiopian scholars. He also emphasized that as an important academic research and think tank platform for China-Africa exchanges and cooperation, the CAI will continue to provide intellectual support for China-Africa cooperation.