Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, waves to people at the airport in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Nov. 8, 2008. Wu Bangguo arrived in Addis Ababa for an official goodwill visit to Ethiopia on Nov. 8. [Xinhua]

At the invitation of Ethiopian Federal Council Speaker Degefi Bula, Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo on Saturday afternoon arrived here to begin an official visit to Ethiopia on the third leg of his five-nation Africa tour.

In a written statement released at the airport upon his arrival, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, highlighted the rapid growth of the China-Ethiopia relations in the past 38 years since the two nations forged diplomatic relations, noting that the bilateral cooperation between the two nations have yielded remarkable achievements in fields such as economy and trade, culture, public health and tourism.

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, hugs the girl presenting flowers to him at the airport in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Nov. 8, 2008. Wu Bangguo arrived in Addis Ababa for an official goodwill visit to Ethiopia on Nov. 8. [Xinhua]

"We have witnessed the best ever relations and I hope my visit would help promote traditional friendship and cement cooperation with mutual benefit in an effort to bring the China-Ethiopia all-round and cooperative partnership to a higher level," Wu said in the written statement.

In addition to Degefi, Wu is scheduled to meet with Ethiopian President Girma Wolde Giorgis, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Speaker of Council of People's Representatives Teshome Toga to exchange views on bilateral relations and other regional and international issues of common concern.

Wu is also expected to visit the African Union (AU) headquarters in Ethiopia's capital. It is the first visit to the AU headquarters by a Chinese top legislator.

Wu arrived here after he concluded his official visit to Algeria and Gabon. After Ethiopia, he will travel to Madagascar and Seychelles.

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Wu Bangguo (L Front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, shakes hands with a boy greeting him at the airport in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Nov. 8, 2008. Wu Bangguo arrived in Addis Ababa for an official goodwill visit to Ethiopia on Nov. 8.[Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2008)