Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will undertake a diplomatic tour of Africa from January 5 to 11, visiting Nigeria, Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, and Chad. This visit upholds a 35-year tradition of China’s foreign minister beginning the year with a trip to Africa.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted the trip’s significance in a Friday statement, emphasizing the priority China places on its relations with African nations. Ning stated, “Wang Yi’s visit is at the invitation of these countries and reinforces China’s long-standing tradition of strengthening Sino-African relations.”
Ning also referenced Chinese President Xi Jinping’s proposals made during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last year. These included enhancing bilateral ties between China and African nations to strategic levels and promoting an “all-weather community with a shared future” for the new era.
The proposals aim to foster modernization across six key areas while implementing 10 partnership actions. These initiatives focus on cooperation in trade, industrialization, infrastructure, and cultural exchanges. Specific actions include establishing a governance experience-sharing platform, creating a China-Africa knowledge network, and developing 25 China-Africa studies centers.
Ning noted that African countries responded positively to these proposals, reflecting mutual interest in deepening Sino-African relations. The visit underscores China’s commitment to collaboration and shared development with African nations.
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