Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's official visit to Ethiopia will deepen the friendship and overall cooperation between Ethiopia and China, Xie Xiaoyan, Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia said on Thursday.

Briefing journalists about the upcoming visit of the Chinese premier in Addis Ababa, Xie, who is also the Chinese permanent representative to the African Union (AU) noted that it is the first visit by the new premier since his assumption of the office.

The visit of the premier demonstrates the strong and close relationship between Ethiopia and China, according to Xie.

"I am confident that this visit will further deepen the friendship between China and Africa, between the African people and the Chinese people in general, the Chinese people and the Ethiopian people, and the two governments in particular," said the ambassador.

The ambassador said the visit would take the cooperation between China and Ethiopia to the higher level and deepen the strategic relationship between the two countries.

During the visit, the Chinese premier will have meetings and discussions with leaders of Ethiopia and the AU Commission, which will be opportunities to discuss relationships between China and Ethiopia and between China and the AU, said the ambassador.

Stating that the exchange of high-level visits has been increasing between Ethiopia and China, the ambassador said the visits have contributed tremendously to the growth of the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The ambassador said China always stresses on its cooperation with African countries based on mutual benefit and win-win results.

Stating that Chinese companies have carried out various development projects especially in the construction of infrastructure in Ethiopia, Xie revealed that during the official visit the Chinese premier would visit some of the projects.

The ambassador revealed that the Chinese premier would also visit Nigeria, Angola and Kenya.