By Senior Editor, China Africa News
Addis Ababa, January 9, 2026 — The African Union and China have once again reaffirmed their broader diplomatic partnership, strengthening cooperation on global and regional priorities and launching the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges during the 9th China–African Union Strategic Dialogue held at the African Union Headquarters. The event brought together African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssoufand Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a display of shared purpose and strategic alignment.
In frank exchanges, the two leaders pledged to expand collaboration on modernization, global governance and trade, while underscoring joint efforts for peace and development in the Horn of Africa. They emphasized the importance of defending sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law and expressed a unified stance on major world challenges, including recent developments in Venezuela.
The dialogue also served as the ceremonial launch of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, a yearlong initiative aimed at deepening cultural, educational and social ties between the two regions. Designed to put people at the heart of diplomacy, the initiative sets the tone for expanded exchange in youth programs, cultural events and professional collaboration throughout 2026.
A standout moment in the talks came when the African Union reaffirmed its firm commitment to the One-China principle, affirming that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and recognizing the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal representative of the whole of China a clear diplomatic endorsement of Beijing’s core foreign policy position.
Both sides reiterated the imperative of upholding a global order rooted in respect for sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes, stressing that these principles must guide cooperation across continents. They also voiced concern over recent developments in Venezuela, highlighting that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and that fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law must be adhered to.
The leaders discussed ways to strengthen practical cooperation, especially by enhancing alignment between China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, as well as commitments under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). They agreed to boost communication, coordination and mutual support for flagship initiatives from the AU’s Silencing the Guns by 2030 and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to China’s Global Security Initiative, Global Governance Initiative and the International Organization for Mediation.
Both leaders pledged to accelerate the implementation of existing cooperation agreements and explore the full potential for practical cooperation that delivers tangible benefits for the peoples of Africa and China.
The launch of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges underscores a broader shift toward more inclusive diplomacy one that seeks to strengthen bonds not just between governments, but among ordinary citizens, artists, students, professionals and youth on both sides. Officials say the initiative will include cultural showcases, tourism exchanges, educational programs and collaborative fora aimed at deepening mutual understanding and building lasting connections.
As the year unfolds, China and the African Union are positioning this initiative as a cornerstone of a more people-centred partnership, one that complements high-level strategic cooperation with broader grassroots engagement an effort that both sides hope will generate deeper trust, shared prosperity and a more secure and interconnected future.
