By Sylivanus Karemera,China Africa News
Addis Ababa, Jan, 10, 2026 — China and Africa have officially launched the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, an ambitious campaign aimed at strengthening the deep and enduring friendship between China and the countries of Africa through enhanced cultural, educational, and social engagement. The launch ceremony took place at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, bringing together senior diplomats, African Union officials, government representatives, and international observers to celebrate and chart an expansive program of cooperation throughout the year.
At the ceremony, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered a keynote speech and read out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping, underlining the significance of people-to-people exchanges as the solid bedrock of China-Africa friendship.
Wang highlighted that under shared leadership, exchanges between the peoples of China and Africa “have flourished and delivered fruitful results, brimming with vitality,” with platforms such as youth dialogues, vocational cooperation, and cultural programs strengthening ties across generations. He emphasized that these exchanges form “the most solid foundation of China-Africa friendship,” driven by mutual learning among civilizations as “the strongest driving force for China-Africa cooperation.”
In his letter, President Xi Jinping marked the launch of the year on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, calling it a moment to “carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen mutual learning among civilizations, expand people-to-people exchanges, especially among the youth, deepen exchanges of experience in governance, and jointly advance modernization.” Xi underscored the importance of building closer bonds among the over 2.8 billion people in China and Africa, contributing to broader solidarity among Global South nations and fostering shared progress.
African leaders also took the podium, reflecting the shared enthusiasm for the initiative. They described China-Africa relations as being rooted in historical solidarity and mutual respect, with a strong sense of optimism about the year ahead. Participants reiterated their commitment to deepening dialogue between civilizations and expanding cooperation in fields such as culture, education, tourism, and the arts areas they see as essential to strengthening people-to-people links and broadening mutual understanding.
The 2026 program is expected to be broad and inclusive, with China and Africa planning to host nearly 600 cultural and people-to-people exchange activities throughout the year. These activities, organized under the theme “Consolidate All-Weather Friendship, Pursue a Shared Dream of Modernization,” will bring together communities from both regions to engage in cultural performances, educational exchanges, youth forums, tourism partnerships, and governance dialogues that span a variety of sectors.
Analysts and officials say that by prioritizing people-centered engagement, the initiative aims to lay the groundwork for deeper, more resilient cooperation that complements diplomatic and economic ties. By enhancing cultural understanding, expanding educational opportunities, and fostering connections among young leaders, the Year of People-to-People Exchanges is expected to boost China-Africa partnership in a way that resonates across societies and strengthens the foundation for long-term collaboration.
In a world facing complex global challenges, proponents argue that initiatives like this help reinforce solidarity, promote mutual respect, and empower citizens of both regions to contribute to shared development pathways. Through these people-to-people bridges, the year ahead seeks to make lasting contributions to the China-Africa relationship one that is not only strategic in scope but deeply rooted in the shared values, aspirations, and everyday lives of their peoples.
