2026 has been formally declared the “China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges”, with the initiative officially launched today, January 8, at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday launched the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, in the presence of President Taye Askesellasie, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, AUC Chairperson and Jean-Claude Gakosso, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Congo, marking the start of a year-long drive to deepen social, educational and cultural ties between China and African countries.
The ceremony coincides with the 70th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and Africa and reinforces Beijing’s tradition of beginning each year’s diplomacy with a visit to the continent.
Wang’s launch of the initiative in Addis Ababa comes at the start of a four-nation tour that will take him to Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho between January 7 and 12. The foreign ministry said the trip aims to deepen political mutual trust, follow up on commitments made at the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit and inject “new impetus” into building an all‑weather China–Africa community with a shared future.
Under the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, China plans to expand scholarship quotas, streamline cultural-exchange visas and pilot a “fast-track” business-travel corridor for African entrepreneurs attending trade fairs and expos in China. Although detailed visa rules have not yet been released, officials indicated that the new corridors are expected to mirror the 15-day fast-track scheme first tested with ASEAN countries in 2025.
