At the third High-Level Conference?of the?Forum on Global Action for Shared Development?held in Beijing on April 22, Tefera Derbew Yimam, Ethiopia's ambassador to China, praised the Luban Workshop as one of Tianjin's most innovative contributions to cooperation on international development.

Since assuming his post in 2023, Yimam has visited Tianjin several times, giving him the chance to learn about its transformation and strategic role in China's development. He described the city as a place where tradition meets modernity, noting its historical legacy as an international gateway alongside its evolving role as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation. He also commended the openness and hospitality of its people.

A flagship project in China-Ethiopia cooperation, the Ethiopia Luban Workshop was jointly established by Tianjin University of Technology and Education and Ethiopia's federal vocational training institute in 2021. Yimam emphasized its long-term value, particularly in building local capacity through teacher training and skills development. "It is not just an educational platform, but a catalyst for economic transformation,"?he said.

Bilateral trade has also grown stronger. In July 2025, the first shipment of Ethiopian coffee beans arrived via Tianjin?Port, marking a new chapter in trade ties under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Looking ahead, Yimam expressed hopes of expanding exports of Ethiopian agricultural products such as sesame and spices, while encouraging Chinese investment in agricultural processing. He noted that growing local-level cooperation reflects a shared vision of mutual benefit, respect, and sustainable development.