The 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was officially launched on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, African Union officials, and diplomats attended the ceremony, initiating a year-long program designed to deepen cultural, educational, and social ties.
The initiative, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African nations, features a comprehensive program of 58 key activities spanning education, culture, media, youth engagement, and skills development. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stated that nearly 600 exchange activities are planned for the year under the theme “Consolidate All-Weather Friendship, Pursue a Shared Dream of Modernization”.
Detailed Program of Activities
The program is structured around five core pillars:
- Cultural Exchange: Activities include a “China-Africa Cultural Silk Road Exchange Month,” joint musical performances, film festivals, fashion events, and “Happy Spring Festival” celebrations across Africa.
- Youth Engagement: This pillar focuses on the next generation through events like the China-Africa Youth Festival, an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and study trips for young African leaders.
- Media and Think Tank Cooperation: The program fosters intellectual collaboration through media forums, think tank meetings, and translation projects for African literature.
- Education and Talent Development: Activities include university presidents’ forums, vocational education cooperation, and training programs on biodiversity conservation and for women entrepreneurs.
- People’s Livelihoods: Exchanges aimed at practical social benefits include conferences on poverty reduction and a “100 Medical Teams in 1,000 Villages” free medical service program.
Context and Official Statements
In his address, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that people-to-people exchanges form the “most solid foundation” of China-Africa friendship and expressed China’s readiness to expand market access for African countries. African leaders at the ceremony pledged to expand cooperation in culture, education, tourism, and the arts, welcoming the initiative as a step toward solidifying long-term relations through deeper societal engagement.
Analysts note that the initiative represents a strategic shift, moving beyond infrastructure and trade to build a socially-rooted partnership. As one expert stated, sustainable partnerships “must be rooted in social connections” among diverse groups like students, artists, and entrepreneurs.
The launch builds on existing cooperation frameworks such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and continues the 36-year tradition of a Chinese foreign minister’s first overseas trip of the year being to Africa.
Working References
The links below have been verified and link directly to the sources used in this article.
- China Daily. “China, Africa launch year of people-to-people exchanges.” Published January 10, 2026. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202601/10/WS696189d3a310d6866eb32fde.html
- CGTN. “FM Wang Yi: China, Africa bolstering strategic trust ‘right on time’.” Published January 13, 2026. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-13/FM-Wang-Yi-China-Africa-bolstering-strategic-trust-right-on-time–1JTsaM36I8w/p.html
- China Daily (Global Edition). “Africa calls for deeper exchanges.” Published January 17, 2026. https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202601/17/WS696ac5d2a310d6866eb343d6.html
- CGTN. “Why Africa comes first in China’s diplomacy.” Published January 8, 2026. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-08/Why-Africa-comes-first-in-China-s-diplomacy-1JLmcspf1Xq/p.html
