Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf convened the ninth China-AU Strategic Dialogue this week at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa. The high-level meeting coincided with the launch of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, signaling renewed commitment to cross-continental cooperation.
Both parties emphasized alignment between China's 15th Five-Year Plan and the AU's Agenda 2063 implementation strategy. Discussions spanned modernization partnerships, zero-tariff trade expansion, and collaborative approaches to regional security challenges in the Horn of Africa.
The AU reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China principle during the dialogue, stating: "There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory." This endorsement comes as both sides pledged to strengthen coordination on global governance reforms benefiting developing nations.
Wang highlighted progress in implementing China's Global Security Initiative and International Organization for Mediation frameworks, while African leaders emphasized synergies with the AU's Silencing the Guns 2030 campaign and Continental Free Trade Area development.
The dialogue concluded with commitments to accelerate existing cooperation agreements and explore new partnerships in digital infrastructure and sustainable development – key priorities for both regions as they navigate evolving global economic landscapes.
