Hey everyone! This week (Jan 7–12), Foreign Minister Wang Yi of the Chinese mainland is touring Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho. It’s a powerful symbol: for the 36th year in a row, Africa is the first overseas stop for any foreign minister from the Chinese mainland 🌍🤝.
2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Chinese mainland and Africa. Wang Yi’s visit builds on the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, aiming to turn big-picture plans into real-world wins—from new trade deals to cultural and educational exchanges.
On January 8, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, he helped launch the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. All year long, this initiative will focus on student programmes, cultural festivals and more, deepening the human connections that power long-term partnerships.
Trade between the Chinese mainland and Africa is on fire: from January to November 2025, bilateral trade topped $314 billion (up 17.8% year-on-year). In 2024, total trade hit a record $295.6 billion, making the Chinese mainland Africa’s largest trading partner for the 16th straight year.
Lesotho—a country hit hard by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs—got a welcome boost last year: the Chinese mainland granted zero-tariff treatment to Lesotho and 52 other African nations, covering 100% of tariff lines. That’s a win for local industries and regional growth.
Beyond trade, China-Africa cooperation is bridging infrastructure gaps across the continent. Projects in transport, energy and digital connectivity bring financing, skills and technology, helping unlock new growth opportunities 🚄⚡📡.
As Wang Yi’s tour continues, all eyes are on the results: will these visits translate into new jobs, smoother supply chains and stronger communities? For young entrepreneurs, students and explorers in Africa and beyond, this week’s developments are ones to watch! 🔍✨
Reference(s):
Chinese FM's Africa visit: A new paradigm for South-South cooperation
cgtn.com
