Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit four African countries—Nigeria, Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, and Chad—from January 5 to 11. This trip marks the 35th consecutive year that China’s foreign minister starts the year with a visit to Africa, a tradition that emphasizes the importance of China-Africa relations.

According to a statement by Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, this visit highlights China’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with African nations. The visit comes at the invitation of these countries and aligns with China’s goal of fostering deeper connections with Africa.

Last year, during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced initiatives aimed at advancing Sino-African relations. These proposals focus on building a long-term strategic partnership and creating an “all-weather community with a shared future.”

The cooperation plan includes six key areas of modernization and ten partnership actions. These focus on trade, industrial development, infrastructure projects, and cultural exchanges. Additionally, China plans to launch platforms for governance experience sharing, a knowledge network, and 25 centers for China-Africa studies.

African leaders have welcomed these initiatives and expressed strong interest in working with China to achieve these shared goals. Wang Yi’s visit is expected to reinforce this cooperation and further deepen the partnership between China and African nations.

This visit is not just a diplomatic gesture but a testament to the growing ties between China and Africa, built on mutual respect, shared development goals, and a commitment to long-term collaboration.