The 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges
The launching ceremony of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was held on Jan. 8, 2026, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi read out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivered a keynote speech. Leaders addressing the event also included officials from the Republic of the Congo, the African Union, and Ethiopia. More than 200 participants attended, representing AU institutions, African diplomats, UN agencies, and various Ethiopian sectors.
Wang Yi said the initiative was jointly agreed upon by Chinese and African leaders and highlighted the role of mutual learning among civilizations in advancing China-Africa modernization. He noted that people-to-people exchanges form the strongest foundation of China-Africa friendship and cooperation.
Addressing global challenges, Wang stressed the need for China and Africa to uphold fairness and justice, strengthen solidarity, prioritize development, put people first, and promote openness and inclusiveness.
African leaders said the initiative marks an important step in implementing President Xi’s proposals and expressed confidence that it will deepen dialogue between civilizations, strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties, and open a new chapter in Africa-China relations.
They reaffirmed readiness to expand cooperation with China in culture, education, tourism, arts, youth exchanges, and other areas, while continuing collaboration under the FOCAC framework and the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve common development.
Source: China International Development Cooperation Agency
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi read out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivered a keynote speech. Leaders addressing the event also included officials from the Republic of the Congo, the African Union, and Ethiopia. More than 200 participants attended, representing AU institutions, African diplomats, UN agencies, and various Ethiopian sectors.
Wang Yi said the initiative was jointly agreed upon by Chinese and African leaders and highlighted the role of mutual learning among civilizations in advancing China-Africa modernization. He noted that people-to-people exchanges form the strongest foundation of China-Africa friendship and cooperation.
Addressing global challenges, Wang stressed the need for China and Africa to uphold fairness and justice, strengthen solidarity, prioritize development, put people first, and promote openness and inclusiveness.
African leaders said the initiative marks an important step in implementing President Xi’s proposals and expressed confidence that it will deepen dialogue between civilizations, strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties, and open a new chapter in Africa-China relations.
They reaffirmed readiness to expand cooperation with China in culture, education, tourism, arts, youth exchanges, and other areas, while continuing collaboration under the FOCAC framework and the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve common development.
Source: China International Development Cooperation Agency