Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi embarks on a six-day diplomatic tour starting today (January 7) to Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho – a move reinforcing China's long-standing tradition of prioritizing African partnerships. This marks the 36th consecutive year that China’s foreign minister has chosen Africa for their first overseas visit of the year. 🚀
During the trip, Wang will attend the launch of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges at the African Union headquarters, blending cultural diplomacy with strategic collaboration. The 2026 tour gains extra significance as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African nations. 🎉
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated the visit aims to ‘deepen political trust’ and accelerate implementation of agreements from the 2025 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit. With all four host countries being key strategic partners, analysts predict discussions will span infrastructure development, tech innovation, and youth empowerment programs. 💡
This Africa-first diplomacy approach mirrors Beijing’s commitment to building what it calls an ‘all-weather community with a shared future’ – a vision combining economic cooperation with cultural exchanges tailored for Gen Z engagement. 🌐
