On May 25, 2026, Vice Foreign Minister Miao Deyu attended and addressed the Africa Day reception held by the African diplomatic corps in China.

Miao Deyu stated that Africa Day is an important commemoration of the African people’s pursuit of independence and greater unity, and is also a shared festival for China and Africa. In February this year, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the African Union (AU) Summit for the 14th consecutive year, fully demonstrating China’s consistent and firm position of supporting Africa’s pursuit of strength through unity. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and African leaders, China-Africa exchanges and cooperation in various fields have seen rapid, all-round development in recent years, writing a splendid new chapter in China-Africa relations. Looking ahead, China is ready to continue to stand firmly with Africa, always serving as a steadfast guardian of each other’s core interests, a committed pioneer of modernization, a reliable partner that braves risks and challenges together, and a staunch defender of international fairness and justice, and to continuously elevate the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era to new heights.

Martin Mpana, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in China and Ambassador of Cameroon to China and other African diplomats reviewed the historical process of Africa’s pursuit of strength through unity, noting that over the 70 years since Africa and China established diplomatic relations, the two sides have always stood together, supported each other, and moved forward shoulder to shoulder, greatly advancing the well-being of the two peoples. This year marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Africa looks forward to taking this opportunity to further deepen cooperation with China in various fields and jointly build an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era.

A video address by the rotating chairperson of the African Union and President of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye was played, a congratulatory letter from Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf was read out, and a variety of cultural performances were presented. About 600 people from various sectors of China and Africa attended the event.