🌍 On January 7, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi landed in Ethiopia, kicking off a six-day African tour that will take him to Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho.
The highlight? He will join leaders at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa for the launch of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. It’s all about boosting cultural ties and friendship with new initiatives, workshops and youth programs.
2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. For the past 36 years, it’s been a tradition for China’s foreign minister to choose Africa for their first overseas trip of the year. This time, Wang Yi—also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee—is continuing that legacy.
Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho are all strategic partners of China. According to the ministry, the visit aims to deepen political trust, push forward results from the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and spark fresh ideas for building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future.
From high-level talks to local cultural exchanges, this tour promises to be a dynamic mix of diplomacy and people-to-people connections. Stay tuned as we follow Wang Yi’s journey across the continent! 🚀
Reference(s):
Chinese FM to visit four African nations, attend African Union event
cgtn.com
