On January 8, 2026 local time, the launching ceremony of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the event, read out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivered a keynote speech. Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso of the Republic of the Congo, the African co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and Ethiopian President Taye Atske-Selassie Amde successively addressed the ceremony. More than 200 participants attended the event, including senior officials from the AU Commission and AU institutions, diplomatic envoys from African countries to the AU, high-level representatives of the United Nations agencies, and government officials and representatives from various sectors of Ethiopia.

Wang Yi said that launching the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges is an important initiative jointly agreed upon by President Xi Jinping and African leaders. In his congratulatory letter, President Xi Jinping elaborated on the significance of mutual learning among civilizations in advancing modernization for China and Africa and outlined the direction and principles of China-Africa people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, which fully demonstrated deep reflections on human history and civilization and provided important guidance for building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Wang Yi said that China-Africa relations boast a long history, and that the China-Africa traditional friendship has grown stronger over time. The ancient Silk Road and the magnificent expeditions of Zheng He enabled the two sides to get to know each other, while their shared struggle for national liberation and state independence in modern times forged a brotherly bond. Today, their active exploration for development and revitalization has deepened the bond of a community with a shared future. In recent years, under the joint guidance of leaders on both sides, China-Africa people-to-people and cultural exchanges have flourished and delivered fruitful results, brimming with vitality. It is gratifying to see that the people of China and Africa are growing ever closer, China-Africa cooperation is expanding in scope, and the friendship between China and Africa is deepening. Facts have shown that people-to-people exchanges form the most solid foundation of China-Africa friendship, while mutual learning among civilizations serves as the strongest driving force for China-Africa cooperation.

Wang Yi stated that the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, with major historical shifts taking place in the international landscape. The Global South, represented by China and Africa, is developing and rising irresistibly. Meanwhile, the world remains far from peaceful. The law of the jungle runs counter to international law and the basic norms of international relations, while power politics and acts of bullying infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. In the face of a turbulent world, China and Africa more than ever need to uphold fairness and justice, strengthen solidarity and mutual support, and enhance exchanges and cooperation. Both sides should prioritize development, be fellow travelers in advancing modernization, and make China's vast market a great opportunity for Africa. Both sides should put the people first, act as go-getters in serving the people, and continuously strengthen the affinity bond between the 2.8 billion people of China and Africa. Both sides should uphold mutual learning and exchanges, act as doers in exchanges on governance, and inject more vibrant spiritual energy into the steady and long-term development of China-Africa cooperation. Both sides should also embrace openness and inclusiveness, be good partners with a shared future, and make contributions of China and Africa to the progress of human civilization.

Wang Yi said that both China and Africa are at a critical stage of their respective development and revitalization, with vast space for cooperation and even brighter prospects. Wang Yi called on both sides to take the launch of the China-Africa Year of People-to-people Exchanges as an opportunity to uphold their original aspiration of friendship, solidify the foundation of cooperation, continuously enhance the substance of the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and jointly embrace a brighter future for China-Africa relations and the Global South.

African leaders said that the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges is an important step by both sides to implement President Xi Jinping's major concepts and initiatives, emphasizing that President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter greatly inspired the African side, offering hope and a vision for the future. They expressed confidence that the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges will open a new chapter in Africa-China relations, deepen dialogue between the two civilizations, enhance exchanges of ideas, and further strengthen bonds between the peoples. African countries stand ready to seize this opportunity to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in such fields as culture, education, tourism, arts, and among the youth, and to continue advancing Africa-China relations.

The African leaders noted that the peoples of Africa and China are as close as brothers, and that Africa-China cooperation is mutually beneficial. They spoke highly of the tradition of Chinese foreign ministers making Africa the destination of their first overseas visit each year, expressed sincere admiration for China's remarkable development achievements, and conveyed gratitude for China's support and assistance to Africa. Since the establishment of the FOCAC, both sides have made tireless efforts and achieved fruitful results in economy and trade, connectivity, agriculture, education, telecommunications, and other areas, contributing to the implementation of the AU's development agenda. The African side expressed willingness to deepen cooperation with China within the FOCAC framework and the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve common development. The current international situation is marked by frequent turmoil, and the international order is facing severe challenges. The African side voiced support for the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and called on both sides to stand united against hegemonism, jointly uphold the international order, and safeguard world peace. Long live the friendship between Africa and China!

Wang Yi also joined African leaders in unveiling the logo for the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Prior to the launching ceremony, Wang Yi had friendly exchanges with Taye Atske-Selassie Amde and Jean-Claude Gakosso.