On January 8, 2026, local time, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the opening ceremony of the “China Africa Cultural Exchange Year” in Addis Ababa. Wang Yi highly praised the achievements of cultural exchanges between China and Africa in his keynote speech.
Wang Yi stated that China Africa relations have a long history, and traditional friendship has become even stronger over time. In recent years, under the joint leadership of leaders from both sides, cultural exchanges between China and Africa have been colorful, fruitful, and full of vitality. We focus on youth exchange, from creating a platform for future leaders’ dialogue and youth leaders’ forum between China and Africa, to holding youth gatherings and “Tiangong Dialogue” activities, to building a communication bridge for youth exchange between China and Africa. We focus on enhancing talent and empowerment, from actively promoting the “China Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Program” to building 17 “Luban workshops” in 15 African countries, cultivating tens of thousands of professional talents, and providing solid intellectual support to help Africa’s development. We share our daily lives and promote a large number of Chinese film and television works such as “Shanhaiqing” and “Welcome to Maile Village” to enter thousands of households, which have been highly discussed and sought after by African audiences. In addition, China has signed bilateral tourism cooperation agreements with more than 30 African countries, and the number of Chinese citizens traveling abroad in groups to 34 African countries and regions has increased. “African tourism” is becoming increasingly popular in China.
Wang Yi said that we are pleased to see that the Chinese and African people are getting closer and closer, China Africa cooperation is becoming wider and wider, and China Africa friendship is becoming deeper and deeper. It has been proven that people to people exchanges are the strongest foundation of the China Africa Friendship Building, and mutual learning of civilizations is the strongest driving force for the ship of China Africa cooperation.