Why Africa has been Chinese FM's first annual trip for over three decades

For the 36th consecutive year, Africa is once again the first overseas destination of China's foreign minister in a new year – an enduring diplomatic tradition that speaks volumes about the depth, consistency and strategic significance of China-Africa relations.

From January 7 to 12, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho at the invitation of the respective governments. During the trip, Wang will also attend the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges launch ceremony at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The 70th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and African countries is marked in 2026, and Wang's Africa tour shows that developing relations with Africa remains a top priority for China's diplomacy.

The relationship between China and Africa is at its best point in history. In September 2024, the 2024 Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held in Beijing, ushering in a new phase of building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Since the establishment of FOCAC in 2000, cooperation between China and Africa has delivered tangible results. Chinese enterprises have helped African countries build or upgrade over 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of roads, close to 1,000 bridges and about 100 ports. These projects have significantly accelerated infrastructure modernization in African countries and promoted coordinated economic connectivity and development.

Economic ties have continued to deepen. From January to November 2025, China-Africa trade volume surpassed $300 billion for the first time, with China remaining Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. The structure of bilateral trade has become increasingly diversified, moving beyond traditional commodities toward manufacturing, digital economy and green industries.

Starting December 1, 2024, China has granted zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines to all least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African nations. Additionally, China announced last June that it would grant zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, translating policy commitments into concrete development opportunities.

China and Africa are also strengthening cooperation on global governance. Amid profound changes unseen in a century and the collective rise of the Global South, China and Africa have emerged as key forces for the development and reform of the global governance system.

Notably, Africa hosted a Group of 20 (G20) summit for the first time in 2025, a milestone reflecting the continent's growing voice on the global stage. During the summit, China and South Africa jointly launched the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa, reaffirming support for African countries to explore modernization paths suited to their national conditions and pursue sustainable development.

Looking to 2026, China-Africa relations are poised for further expansion in both scope and depth. Wang Yi has pointed out that the two sides will mark the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges through joint events. The 18th FOCAC Senior Officials' Meeting will also be held, accelerating the mid-term implementation of outcomes from the Beijing Summit.

According to the Concept Paper of 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, China and Africa will carry out wide-ranging activities throughout the year, covering education, culture, tourism, publishing, sports, science and technology, people's livelihoods and green development, pooling the strengths of youth, women, media and think tanks, and mobilizing resources at sub-national and non-governmental levels.

Paul Zilungisele Tembe, founder and director of the SELE Encounters Cross-Civilization platform and research center in South Africa, noted that 2026 represents more than a symbolic milestone.

"It is not only a commemorative year for 70 years of diplomatic relations," he said, "but also a crucial opportunity to deepen people-to-people exchanges. These activities can foster spiritual resonance and mutual understanding. Only when people know each other better can cooperation generate truly shared goals."