ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The first Africa-China business forum kicked off here on Monday as Ethiopian and Chinese businesses aspire to create partnership in various sectors.

The China-Africa business forum, which is underway in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa from Dec. 3 to 5 with a theme of "China-Ethiopia Industrial Capacity Cooperation Exposition," also hosts various other side events, including the a high-level business expo, industrial capacity cooperation forum, investment promotion conference, and visit to some of Ethiopia's industrial parks.

Some 46 Chinese companies are currently showcasing their products and services at the first edition of the high-level Africa-China business forum.

Speaking at the opening session of the forum on Monday, Melaku Ezezew, President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA), emphasized the strong business and investment ties between Ethiopia and China, both at government as well as business level.

Ezezew also noted that the business forum and the expo will help companies to forge "strong working partnership."

The event, which is scheduled to be held on annual basis in the future, is co-hosted by ECCSA and the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC).

According to Deputy Manager of CIEC, Liu Jian, the visiting high-level Chinese companies have planned to utilize the opportunity to create business partnership and joint venture with Ethiopian and other African businesses.

The expo, sponsored by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in partnership with the China-Africa Development Fund, will serve as a platform in creating linkage among African and Chinese business people, Liu said.

The event is aimed at deepening the comprehensive partnership of Ethiopia and China so as to encourage the operation of industry and commerce of the two countries, according to ECCSA.