On January 8, 2026, China and African nations officially inaugurated the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges at a ceremony held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, underscoring a renewed commitment to deepening cultural, educational and social ties between the two continents. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, reading a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping, highlighted that people-centred engagement is the “most solid foundation” of the longstanding relationship between China and Africa.
The launch, attended by senior AU officials, diplomatic envoys and representatives from civil society, also featured remarks from the AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso, the African co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). African leaders welcomed the initiative as a new chapter in China-Africa relations and pledged to expand cooperation in culture, education, tourism, the arts and youth engagement throughout 2026.
This year’s theme, “Consolidate All-Weather Friendship, Pursue a Shared Dream of Modernization,” reflects mutual aspirations to strengthen intercultural learning and social connectivity across the two regions. Nearly 600 people-to-people exchange events, spanning forums, exhibitions, academic visits, artistic showcases and vocational training programmes are scheduled to be held in both China and African countries during the year, creating platforms for dialogue and joint innovation.
The People-to-People Exchanges initiative was endorsed during the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, where China and African leaders agreed to designate 2026 as the year dedicated to such engagement as part of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The initiative is designed to supplement traditional state-level cooperation with grassroots interactions, strengthening mutual understanding and goodwill among citizens across cultures.
Chinese officials highlighted existing cooperation achievements, including 17 Luban Workshops established across 15 African countries, vocational platforms that have trained tens of thousands of professionals in technical and trade skills, strengthening local capacity for industrial and economic development.
Tourism cooperation has also expanded significantly: China has signed tourism agreements with more than 30 African countries, opening 34 African destinations to Chinese group tours and fuelling cultural exchange while supporting local tourism economies.
The People-to-People Exchanges initiative complements the broader China-Africa partnership under FOCAC, which has driven cooperation across trade, infrastructure, health, education, agriculture and telecommunications – contributing to the implementation of the African Union’s development agenda. African leaders have voiced support for deepening collaboration under frameworks such as the Belt and Road Initiative, which promotes shared infrastructure and economic integration.
This emphasis on connectivity extends to bilateral cooperation as well. In South Africa, the Chinese Embassy recently hosted a celebration of the Year of People-to-People Exchanges, highlighting tourism, cultural linkages and historical diplomatic ties as foundations for deeper collaboration in the years ahead.
As China and Africa embark on a full calendar of exchange activities in 2026, stakeholders emphasise the importance of youth engagement, cultural dialogue, academic partnerships and vocational cooperation as drivers of long-term development and mutual understanding. By broadening the base of people-centred interactions, the Year of People-to-People Exchanges is expected to strengthen the social bedrock of China-Africa relations, building trust, respect and shared vision for modernisation and global cooperation.
