From July 24 to 26, 2025, the Embassy of Ethiopia in China hosted the China-Ethiopia Friendship Business, Culture, and Arts Week to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ethiopia. The International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan (ICBR) was invited to participate in the series of events. Ms. Li Xiaohua, Deputy Director General of ICBR, led a delegation to engage in exchanges with various stakeholders. 

During the event, ICBR set up a Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic exhibition booth, showcasing the progress and achievements made in replacing plastic with bamboo, while encouraging the adoption of green and sustainable consumption practices. This initiative further deepened international scientific and technological exchanges and expanded channels for industrial development, serving as a significant measure to implement the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative. 

At the industrial forum, officials, scholars, and business representatives from China and Ethiopia delivered speeches from perspectives such as China and Africa jointly building an all-weather community with a shared future, enhancing modernization cooperation among developing countries, the historical mission of new BRICS members, and constructing a knowledge system for the Global South. They also conducted in-depth discussions on key areas including upgrading bilateral trade structures and digital economy and financial cooperation. 

This event, driven by the dual engines of civilizational dialogue and industrial synergy, established a high-level cooperation platform in business, culture, and arts between the two countries, promoting deeper economic and trade collaboration as well as people-to-people connectivity.