Joint Press Release of the African Union - China Strategic Dialogue

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and Member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, H.E. Wang Yi, held the 9th China–African Union Strategic Dialogue at AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on 8 January 2026. On the same occasion, they jointly opened the 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, underscoring the importance of societal, cultural and youth connections alongside high-level political engagement.​​

Both sides reviewed China–Africa joint efforts on modernization, global governance, zero‑tariff treatment, the International Organization for Mediation, and the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa. As members of the Global South, the AU and China noted their broad convergence on major international and regional issues and stressed the need to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries in multilateral fora. They reaffirmed mutual support for each other’s core interests and major concerns, and highlighted closer coordination as a way to inject positive momentum into global and regional peace, stability and development.​

The African Union side reaffirmed its firm adherence to the One‑China principle, stating that there is but one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The AU expressed firm support for all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification, framing this stance within broader commitments to sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law.​

Both sides reiterated the imperative of upholding a global order based on international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes. They expressed concern over recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, emphasising that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected and that the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law must be observed.​

The dialogue also covered cooperation on modernisation and long‑term development agendas. The AU and China underlined the importance of aligning China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan with the AU’s Second Ten‑Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 and commitments under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), to better synchronise infrastructure, industrialisation, digital, and green development priorities.​

Both sides agreed to enhance communication, coordination and mutual support across their flagship initiatives. On the African side, this includes Agenda 2063, the Silencing the Guns by 2030 initiative, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); on the Chinese side, it includes the Global Security Initiative, the Global Development/Governance Initiatives and the International Organization for Mediation. The partners stressed that advancing peace, security, trade and connectivity in tandem is essential for shared, sustainable growth.​

The Chairperson of the AU Commission and the Chinese Foreign Minister reaffirmed their commitment to ensure effective implementation of all existing cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding. They agreed to explore the full potential of practical cooperation between the AU and China, aiming to deliver tangible benefits to African and Chinese peoples through deeper economic ties, peace and security collaboration, and expanded people‑to‑people exchanges.​

For media enquiries, contact:
Mr Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, Spokesperson of the Chairperson, African Union Commission
Email: SheekhN@AfricanUnion.org – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia​

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