China and the African Union (AU) reaffirmed their shared vision for deeper cooperation and stronger global influence during the ninth China-AU Strategic Dialogue held on January 8, 2026, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. The high-level engagement, led by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, underlined a broad consensus on regional and global priorities, reflecting the mature and deepening nature of China-Africa ties.
The dialogue coincided with the launching ceremony of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, a flagship initiative designed to strengthen cultural, educational, and youth connections between China and African nations. Both leaders emphasised that people-to-people exchanges form a vital foundation for long-term friendship and collaborative development.
At the strategic dialogue, Wang and Youssouf explored joint efforts to advance modernisation, global governance, peace, and regional stability, particularly in areas such as the Horn of Africa. They discussed cooperation mechanisms including China’s Global Security Initiative, Global Governance Initiative, and the International Organization for Mediation, alongside key AU frameworks such as Agenda 2063 and its flagship programmes, including “Silencing the Guns by 2030” and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Both sides stressed the importance of upholding respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute settlement in line with international law – a shared commitment that resonates strongly amid global geopolitical shifts. Notably, the AU reaffirmed its firm support for the one-China principle, emphasising China’s territorial integrity and unified representation in international diplomacy.
The dialogue reflects broader China-Africa cooperation frameworks established under platforms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). At FOCAC summits, both sides have mapped comprehensive cooperation agendas spanning trade, infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, and digital connectivity, driving practical outcomes that support Africa’s development aspirations. In addition to formal strategic talks, China has supported zero-tariff access for African products in Chinese markets, expanded infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and deepened financial cooperation through partnerships with African banks.
China’s alignment with Agenda 2063 – the AU’s blueprint for a prosperous and integrated Africa further demonstrates synchronised development goals, including industrialisation and inclusive growth. By coordinating China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with African strategies, both parties aim to amplify economic transformation and mutual support across sectors.
The China-AU Strategic Dialogue is more than a routine diplomatic engagement – it represents institutionalised cooperation between two major partners in the Global South, committed to shaping a rules-based international order and advancing equitable development.
For African nations, these strategic conversations resonate with continental ambitions to expand economic opportunity, foster peace and security, and elevate Africa’s voice on the global stage. For China, the engagement reinforces its role as a long-term partner committed to cooperative, mutually respectful development. As China-Africa relations mark their 70th anniversary in 2026, this strategic dialogue signifies a forward-looking partnership anchored in shared values and collective action.
