Continued tradition highlights growing strength of China-Africa relationship

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Africa from Wednesday last week to Monday once again sent a clear and consistent signal: China's commitment to Africa is unwavering and enduring.

Wang's trip upheld a Chinese diplomatic tradition, whereby China's foreign minister begins the year with a visit to Africa, for the 36th consecutive year. It is a practice that reflects the deep-rooted friendship, political trust and shared aspirations of China and African countries.

The countries Wang visited this year were Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lesotho, China's strategic cooperative partners. He also attended the launch ceremony for the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.

Designating 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges underscores a shared understanding that the strength of China-Africa relations ultimately lies in the bonds between their peoples. The cultural exchange initiative is conducive to carrying forward the traditional China-Africa friendship, deepening mutual learning among civilizations, expanding youth exchanges, strengthening governance experience sharing and jointly advancing modernization. Nearly 600 exchange activities are planned throughout the year under the theme of "Consolidate All-Weather Friendship, Pursue Shared Dream of Modernization", demonstrating the breadth and depth of this undertaking.

At the AU headquarters, Wang and AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf co-chaired the ninth China-AU Strategic Dialogue. This was an important strategic exchange following the inauguration of the AU Commission's new leadership. Both sides reaffirmed that China-Africa relations have entered a new stage of jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

China is developing relations with the AU from a strategic and long-term perspective. China has consistently supported Africa's integration process and its pursuit of independent development. The dialogue further deepened strategic mutual trust between the two sides, strengthened solidarity and enhanced coordination on international and regional issues, reflecting the shared commitment of both sides to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South and upholding a global order based on international law.

Over the past seven decades, China and African countries have shared a unique historical bond. They have stood side by side in struggles for national independence, supported each other in times of hardship, and worked together to promote common development. In the new era — guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, as well as the pursuit of the greater good and shared interests — China-Africa cooperation has continued to deliver tangible benefits and set an example for a new type of international relations.

China and African countries are important members of the Global South. Their solidarity not only accelerates their respective modernization processes, but also injects stability and positive momentum into a world facing growing uncertainty. Africa is at a major stage for international cooperation, and China remains committed to working with African partners on the basis of mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation.

Wang's Africa visit was therefore a reaffirmation of shared values, shared responsibilities and a shared future. China-Africa's enduring friendship and deepening cooperation will continue to illuminate the path toward common development and global progress. China stands ready to work with African partners to implement the outcomes of the dialogue and continue to explore the full potential for practical cooperation between the two sides to deliver more tangible results for the Chinese and African people.