China and Africa are set to jointly host nearly 600 cultural and people-to-people exchange activities in 2026 aimed at strengthening ties between the two regions. The initiative seeks to promote deeper understanding, mutual learning, and stronger connections between the peoples of both sides, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning.
Mao made the announcement during a regular news conference on Friday while giving details about the opening ceremony of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, which was held on Thursday at the African Union headquarters.
She explained that organizing the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was an important decision made by leaders from both regions during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit in 2024.
According to Mao, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the opening ceremony, calling on both sides to use the opportunity to strengthen traditional friendship and promote greater cooperation. “President Xi urged both sides to seize the year as an opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen mutual learning among civilizations, expand people-to-people exchanges, especially among the youth, deepen exchanges of experience in governance, and jointly advance modernization,” she said.
Mao added that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony, commended achievements in China-Africa cultural exchanges, and jointly unveiled the official logo for the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges with African representatives.
