China and African countries are set to jointly organize nearly 600 cultural and people-to-people exchange activities in 2026 as part of efforts to deepen mutual understanding and promote exchanges between the two civilizations, China’s Foreign Ministry has said.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning disclosed this on Friday during a regular press briefing in Beijing while providing details on the opening ceremony of the 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, which took place on Thursday at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
According to Mao, the initiative to designate 2026 as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges reflects a key consensus reached by leaders from both sides at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit. The program is aimed at strengthening cultural dialogue, fostering mutual learning among civilizations, and enhancing bonds between the peoples of China and Africa.
She noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the opening ceremony, calling on both sides to use the year-long program to build on traditional friendship, expand exchanges, particularly among young people, deepen the sharing of governance experiences, and jointly advance modernization.
Mao added that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the launch event, where he highlighted the steady progress and achievements made in China–Africa cultural and people-to-people cooperation in recent years. Wang also joined African representatives in unveiling the official logo of the 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The planned activities in 2026 are expected to span culture, education, tourism, youth engagement, and other social sectors, providing platforms for closer interaction and cooperation. Officials say the initiative will further consolidate public support for China–Africa relations and contribute to building a closer China–Africa community with a shared future.
