Senior officials from the African Union and the People’s Republic of China convened at the African Union headquarters on Thursday for the 9th China–African Union Strategic Dialogue, reaffirming their mutual commitments to broad geopolitical and developmental priorities, officials said.
The meeting, led by Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Wang Yi, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, underscored the deepening ties between China and the African Union, which both described as members of the Global South with extensive shared interests.
The talks occurred concurrently with the opening ceremony of the 2026 China–Africa Year of People‑to‑People Exchanges, a yearlong initiative to promote cultural, educational and social links between China and African states.
In opening remarks, both principals emphasized cooperative approaches to modernization and global governance, calling for stronger alignment between China’s national plans and Africa’s continental development framework.
They highlighted the importance of synergizing China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan with the African Union’s Second Ten‑Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063, as well as commitments under the Forum on China‑Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“We recognize the importance of enhancing cooperation to inject positive momentum into global and regional peace, stability and development,” Youssouf said during the dialogue, according to a joint press release.
Minister Wang added that China and the African Union share “broad consensus on major international and regional issues” and pledged to deepen coordination on global governance initiatives.
A central theme of the dialogue was mutual support in safeguarding the core interests of both parties.
Wang Yi, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (left) and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (right) at the African Union headquarters for the 9th China–African Union Strategic Dialogue on January 8, 2026/HANDOUTWang Yi, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (left) and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (right) at the African Union headquarters for the 9th China–African Union Strategic Dialogue on January 8, 2026/HANDOUT
The African Union reaffirmed its commitment to the One‑China principle, stating there is “but one China in the world” and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, the press statement noted. It also fully supported China’s government in achieving “national reunification.”
Both sides reiterated the importance of a global order rooted in international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
They expressed concern about recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, stressing that the sovereignty of all nations must be upheld in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.
The meeting also covered cooperation across a range of strategic initiatives.
China and the African Union agreed to enhance communication and mutual support in flagship programs, including the AU’s Agenda 2063 priorities — such as “Silencing the Guns by 2030” and the African Continental Free Trade Area — and China’s Global Security Initiative and International Organization for Mediation projects.
In closing statements, both Chairperson Youssouf and Minister Wang reaffirmed their commitment to implementing existing cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding as well as exploring “the full potential for practical cooperation” that delivers tangible benefits to the peoples of Africa and China.
