Chinese FM travels to Africa on first trip of the Year as a tradition

Beijing, Jan 7 (Prensa Latina) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began a tour of Africa, which includes Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho, in addition to his participation in the opening of the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges."

January 7, 2026
06:12

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 even during the most critical years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Chinese side, this practice shows the strategic importance and special nature of the friendship between China and Africa.

Both sides are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, which began in May 1956, with Egypt being the first African country to recognize the People’s Republic of China.

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