On January 8, 2026 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf jointly held the ninth China-AU Strategic Dialogue at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Wang Yi said that the AU is the "locomotive" driving African unity and cooperation, playing an important and unique role in China-Africa relations. President Xi Jinping has sent congratulatory messages to the AU Summits for 13 consecutive years, which fully demonstrates China's high regard for developing relations with the AU. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, and also the 36th consecutive year for Africa to be the destination of the Chinese Foreign Minister's first overseas trip in a new year. This diplomatic tradition reflects the continuity of China-Africa friendship, the stability of China's policy toward Africa, and the solidarity of developing countries. The unity and concerted efforts of over 2.8 billion people in China and Africa will enable them to overcome any difficulties and challenges, accelerate their pace toward modernization, and contribute to a more just, equitable, harmonious and stable world.

Wang Yi said that both China and Africa are at a critical stage of development and are facing new and broad opportunities for cooperation. China is willing to leverage its own development to provide support for the vast number of developing countries, including those in Africa, to achieve modernization together and jointly safeguard the interests of the Global South. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has played an important role in the common development of China and Africa, blazing a path of win-win cooperation between China and Africa. Both sides should continue to make good use of this platform to deepen practical cooperation and jointly tell the story of China-Africa cooperation well. Both sides should continuously enhance the strategic, exemplary, and practical nature of China-AU relations and ensure that the AU plays a better leading role in the overall China-Africa relations. China firmly supports the AU in uniting and leading African countries to uphold independence and defend the right of African countries to pursue independent development. China supports the African people in seeking African solutions for African problems and pursuing development paths suited to their own national conditions. China also supports the AU in playing a leading role in regional affairs.

Wang Yi said that the AU promptly and actively responded to and supported the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, reflecting the high alignment of ideas between both sides and their shared aspiration to shape international fairness and justice. China is ready to continue strengthening dialogue and communication with the AU on the four global initiatives, support Africa in playing a greater role on the international stage, jointly practice true multilateralism, and make the global governance system more just and equitable.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said that China is a partner that Africa can fully trust and rely on. The fact that the Chinese foreign ministers have made Africa the destination of their first overseas visit in a new year for 36 consecutive years fully reflects China's strategic emphasis on Africa. Africa-China friendship, based on mutual respect and a shared vision for peace and development, has become a model of cooperation in the Global South. The AU appreciates China's long-standing partnership with Africa across various fields and its selfless support for Africa's development. The AU highly commends the fruitful outcomes of the FOCAC and the tangible benefits it has brought to the people of Africa and China. The AU adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests on the Taiwan question, and opposes any attempt to split China. The AU is willing to work with China to continue strengthening Africa-China cooperation through mechanisms such as FOCAC to deliver greater benefits to the people of both sides.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said that the AU congratulates China on successfully hosting the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. At a time when power politics and bullying are on the rise and multilateralism is under attack, Africa and China are at a critical moment to remember history, look to the future, and defend sovereignty. It is even more necessary for Africa and China to deepen their partnership. The AU highly appreciates the four global initiatives put forth by President Xi Jinping and is willing to join hands with China to safeguard the common interests of the Global South and promote global fairness, justice, peace and development.