Addis Ababa on January 8 saw the official launch of the 2026 China Africa Year of People to People Exchanges at the African Union headquarters, bringing together African leaders diplomats and international partners to strengthen relations between the two sides, with implications for AU member states.
The event was attended by more than 200 participants, among them senior officials from the AU Commission and its institutions, diplomats accredited to the AU, representatives of United Nations agencies and officials from different sectors in Ethiopia. The initiative seeks to widen cooperation beyond state relations to include citizens cultural institutions and young people across Africa and China.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered the keynote address and read a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Addresses were also delivered by Republic of the Congo Foreign Minister Jean Claude Gakosso, the African co chair of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie.
Wang said the exchanges year was jointly agreed upon by the Chinese president and African leaders as part of efforts to deepen cooperation. In his message, President Xi outlined the role of mutual learning among civilizations in supporting modernization in China and Africa and set out principles guiding people focused and cultural cooperation, aimed at building a long term China Africa community with a shared future.
According to Wang, China Africa relations are rooted in a long standing friendship, with people to people exchanges expanding in recent years under the guidance of leaders on both sides. He said cooperation driven by citizens and cultural interaction continues to deliver tangible outcomes across the continent.
He told the gathering that the global order is undergoing major changes, with China and Africa representing a rising Global South. He said instability power politics and coercive practices continue to affect developing countries, calling for closer cooperation between China and Africa based on fairness justice and shared development.
African leaders at the ceremony said the exchanges year supports commitments already made between China and Africa and would strengthen dialogue between the two civilizations. They said the programme would enhance understanding and deepen ties among ordinary people.
They said African countries are ready to expand cooperation with China in areas such as culture education tourism arts and youth exchanges.
Speakers also referred to China’s long standing engagement with Africa, including the tradition of Chinese foreign ministers making Africa their first overseas destination each year. They expressed appreciation for China’s development experience and continued support across sectors.
Since the establishment of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, both sides have recorded progress in trade infrastructure agriculture education telecommunications and other areas, supporting the African Union development agenda. African representatives said they are prepared to deepen cooperation under the FOCAC framework and the Belt and Road Initiative.
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