Foreign Minister Wang Yi and African Union (AU) Chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met in Addis Ababa on January 8 on the occasion of the ninth China-African Union (AU) Strategic Dialogue. These meetings continue a diplomatic tradition where Africa tends to be the first foreign destination of the Chinese foreign minister in the new year, symbolizing Beijing's long-term focus on partnership with African countries.
During the talks, the two sides shared views on joint efforts towards modernisation, global governance, nontariff regimes, international mediation and peace and development in the Horn of Africa. Both China and the African Union stressed that their partnership as members of the Global South rests on a broad consensus on key international and regional issues and on a common effort to defend the legitimate interests of developing countries.
At the same time, the African Union has clearly reaffirmed its commitment to the one China principle, recognizing that Taiwan is an integral part of the territory China and that the government of the People's Republic of China legally represents the entire country. Both sides also reiterated the importance of respect for international law, the sovereignty of states and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The strategic dialogue was held in parallel with the launch of the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges 2026, which underlines the ambition of both sides to deepen not only political and economic cooperation, but also people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges in the broader context of bilateral relations.
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