Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki received China's Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Hu Changchun, at the Denden Guest House in Asmara on Thursday, November 5.
According to Eritrea's Ministry of Information, the meeting took place in the early evening and involved extensive discussions on bilateral relations and current developments across the region.
During the talks, Hu Changchun reiterated China's position on the importance of respecting Eritrea's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The meeting occurred amid heightened regional tensions involving Eritrea and Ethiopia, with developments around the Red Sea and northern Ethiopia drawing increasing diplomatic attention.
China Reaffirms Respect for Eritrea's Sovereignty
The Chinese envoy's statement on Eritrea's territorial integrity was a central element of the discussions in Asmara.
Hu reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to the principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, reflecting China's longstanding diplomatic position regarding relations between states.
The remarks were delivered against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia, particularly over Ethiopia's pursuit of access to the Red Sea and wider regional security concerns.
The Eritrean government's official account did not identify any new agreement concerning Ethiopia, the port of Assab or the conflict in Tigray.
Meeting Forms Part of China's Regional Diplomatic Initiative
The visit followed an announcement by China's Foreign Ministry on November 2 outlining a series of diplomatic missions to countries in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing would dispatch senior envoys to promote peace talks, ease tensions and contribute to regional stability.
Under the initiative, Hu Changchun was assigned to visit Eritrea, while China's Special Representative on African Affairs, Liu Xianfa, was scheduled to travel to Ethiopia, Djibouti and Egypt.
China also announced separate diplomatic engagements in Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia through its Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue, Zhai Jun.
Beijing described the visits as part of its efforts to support political dialogue and reduce instability in strategically important regions.
China and Eritrea Maintain Strategic Partnership
China and Eritrea established diplomatic relations on May 24, 1993, and elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership in January 2022.
President Isaias Afwerki visited China in May 2023, holding discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on cooperation and bilateral relations.
The two leaders met again in September 2024 during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing.
Relations between Asmara and Beijing include political coordination, trade, infrastructure cooperation and development-related initiatives.
Hu Changchun previously visited Eritrea on April 10, 2026, when he also met President Afwerki at the Denden Guest House.
During that earlier meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening strategic cooperation, aligning development priorities and advancing peace and stability across the Horn of Africa.
Horn of Africa Security Remains a Priority
China's latest diplomatic engagement comes as political and security developments across the Horn of Africa continue to attract international attention.
Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia, instability in parts of northern Ethiopia and concerns surrounding access to the Red Sea have placed regional security high on the diplomatic agenda.
Beijing's simultaneous engagement with Eritrea, Ethiopia and Djibouti reflects its stated intention to encourage dialogue and contribute to regional de-escalation.
The Chinese government has presented its current diplomatic outreach as an effort to support peaceful solutions and stability rather than announcing a specific mediation agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The November 5 meeting in Asmara concluded with discussions on bilateral ties and regional developments.
Eritrea's Ministry of Information did not announce a new bilateral agreement, a joint communiqué or a timetable for further negotiations following the meeting.