Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded his three-nation Africa tour on January 12, marking the 36th consecutive year that Africa has been the destination for Chinese foreign ministers' first overseas trip of the year.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf jointly hold the ninth China-AU Strategic Dialogue at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, January 8, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

This year's visit marks a pivotal moment in China-Africa relations, as 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of initial diplomatic ties between China and Africa, and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Given these two landmark milestones, the timing of Wang's visit in 2026 is particularly significant.

The visit, which included stops at the African Union headquarters, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Lesotho, garnered attention across mainstream African media outlets, with expert reactions further underscoring the growing strength of China-Africa relations.

Vanguard, a Nigerian-based newspaper, said in an article that Wang's trip highlighted Africa's special position in Chinese foreign relations.

"This tradition has evidently elevated Chinese love, respect and admiration for Africa beyond mere rhetorics and drawn the Asian country and its leadership closer to the hearts and minds of Africans," the article said. "This symbiotic relationship speaks volume and paves the way for enduring peace, economic and social integration."

The Ethiopian News Agency reported that Wang's visit underscores the growing strategic partnership between Ethiopia and China under the newly elevated all-weather cooperation framework.

During the meeting between Wang and Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, both sides agreed to explore the full potential for practical cooperation and deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of Africa and China, the report said.

They also discussed aligning China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) with the AU's Agenda 2063, according to the report.

African scholars, think tank experts and diplomats also shared their perspectives with media organizations around the world.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) Africa, Somali Ambassador to China Hodan Osman Abdi said that Wang's visit gives a clear sense that China's Africa policy remains the same despite global shifts.

The trip also demonstrates China's strong commitment to global solidarity ‒ especially among Global South countries ‒ and its unwavering partnership with Africa, she added.

David Monyae, director of the Center for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, told CGTN Africa that Wang's trip has strengthened China-Africa ties, particularly with countries like Tanzania, Lesotho and Ethiopia.

The 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was launched during Wang's stop at the African Union headquarters.

David Monyae highlighted people-to-people exchanges as a key outcome of the 1955 Bandung Conference, which marked the awakening of the part of the world later known as the Global South.

He added that exchanges between Chinese and African people are expected to deepen across the African continent, extending beyond businessmen and politicians to ordinary people.

This year, China and Africa will host nearly 600 people-to-people exchange activities to enhance exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations, and promote mutual understanding and connection between the peoples of both regions, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

(Edited by Huang Jingjing)