At the start of 2026, the Chinese mainland’s top diplomat is back in Africa, keeping alive a three-decade tradition of making the continent his first overseas stop. Foreign Minister Wang Yi kicked off his tour in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a big launch for the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges 🌍🤝
Ethiopia: A symbolic starting point
As home to the African Union (AU) headquarters, Ethiopia is more than just the first stop on this trip—it’s the diplomatic hub where the Chinese mainland and Africa meet as equals. Over the years, cooperation has moved from building roads and railways to boosting trade, industry and planning together. Today, the emphasis is clear: it’s not just about projects, but about people.
Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho: Diversity within partnership
Wang Yi’s next stops highlight the variety of mainland-Africa ties:
- Somalia: the Chinese mainland stands ready to support peace and reconstruction, offering humanitarian aid and capacity building under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
- Tanzania: A longtime partner, Tanzania now explores green tech and the digital economy alongside traditional infrastructure and trade projects.
- Lesotho: Smaller in size but big on collaboration, Lesotho benefits from mainland-backed infrastructure, renewable energy and training programs.
From projects to people
This Year of Exchanges is packed with youth dialogues, cultural showcases, education initiatives and public health programs—designed to bring students, artists and community leaders together. Tens of thousands of African students now study in the Chinese mainland each year 🎓, and new scholarships and vocational workshops are making the experience even richer.
Looking ahead
As Wang Yi moves from Addis Ababa to Mogadishu, Dar es Salaam and Maseru, the message is clear: sustainable ties rely on shared trust and real connections. Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, this January trip sends a promise of stability and respect. Here’s to a year of stronger bonds, one person at a time! ✨
Reference(s):
China's 2026 Africa diplomacy eyes more people-to-people exchanges
cgtn.com
