Ethiopia–China Relations During the Imperial and Derg Eras

This study examines the historical development of Ethiopia–China relations in the context of the Horn of Africa, with a particular emphasis on the geopolitical factors that have shaped these interactions. Using a qualitative research approach, the paper relies on secondary sources to gather relevant data. It finds that Ethiopia–China relations were largely shaped by geopolitical considerations within the broader context of Cold War politics. Despite ideological differences, China engaged with imperial Ethiopia on strategic issues, both with and without formal diplomatic missions, due to Ethiopia’s importance as Africa’s diplomatic hub, a symbol of African independence, and its growing clout in international affairs. As the Soviet Union’s influence expanded and became China’s primary security concern, Beijing shifted from a largely ideological to a more geopolitical foreign policy. This change improved its relations with the West and strengthened ties with Ethiopia to contain Soviet influence and expansion. However, as Ethiopia-Soviet Union relations deepened, China’s relationship with the Derg regime deteriorated in 1977–1983, despite their ideological similarity. This breakdown, along with China’s alignment with the West and Somalia to counter Soviet prominence in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, further illustrates the geopolitical forces driving Ethiopia–China relations. China’s friction with the United States and rapprochement with the Soviet Union, combined with the Soviet Union’s waning support for the Derg regime amid growing insurgencies, ultimately revitalized Ethiopia–China relations, which continue to flourish today.