US EditionWhy Africa Has Been Chinese FM's First Annual Trip for over Three Decades
Wang Yi's visit aims to secure trade routes, promote Belt and Road projects, and expand markets; China-Africa trade exceeded $300 billion in 2025, the largest partnership for 16 years.
- On January 7, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began his annual New Year tour of Africa, visiting Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho through January 12 and attending the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges launch in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Beijing aims to showcase model partners and expand export markets under President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road infrastructure programme while securing shipping routes around the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea and access to copper.
- From January to November 2025, China-Africa trade volume surpassed $300 billion, while Chinese enterprises helped build over 10,000 km of railways and nearly 100,000 km of roads.
- Wang's Somalia stop—the first by a Chinese foreign minister since the 1980s—is expected to boost Mogadishu, while China faces EU competition to finance infrastructure as Lesotho faces U.S. tariffs of up to 50% last year.
- Looking to 2026, the 18th FOCAC Senior Officials' Meeting and activities will mark the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges to expand cooperation.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Why Africa has been Chinese FM's first annual trip for over three decades
For the 36th consecutive year, Africa is once again the first overseas destination of China's foreign minister in a new year – an enduring diplomatic tradition that speaks volumes about the depth, consistency and strategic significance of China-Africa relations.
Visits reflect commitment to relationship: China Daily editorial
For the 36th consecutive year, Africa is once again the first overseas destination of China’s foreign minister in a new year — an enduring diplomatic tradition that speaks volumes about the depth, consistency and strategic significance of China-Africa relations.
China's top diplomat tours Africa with focus on strategic trade routes
BEIJING, Jan 7 - China's top diplomat began his annual New Year tour of Africa on Wednesday, focusing on strategic trade access across eastern and southern Africa as Beijing seeks to secure key shipping routes and resource supply lines. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Chinese FM travels to Africa on first trip of the Year as a tradition
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced that the visit will last from 7 to 12 of January, at the invitation of African countries and the African Union (AU). The Ministry underscored that this is the 36th consecutive time that Wang has chosen Africa as the first diplomatic destination of the year. The tradition began in January 1991, when then-Foreign Minister Qian Qichen visited Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, and it has continued eve…
China’s Top Diplomat Begins Strategic Africa Tour
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi began his annual New Year visit to Africa on Wednesday, continuing a tradition that underscores Beijing’s long-term diplomatic focus on the continent. This year’s tour will take Wang to Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho, with a particular emphasis on eastern and southern Africa. The trip comes as China, the world’s […] The post China’s Top Diplomat Begins Strategic Africa Tour appeared first on Modern Diplo…
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