China, AU Reaffirm Strategic Partnership

China and the African Union have reaffirmed their strategic partnership following the 9th China–African Union Strategic Dialogue held on 8 January 2026 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The dialogue was co-chaired by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, H.E. Wang Yi. Both leaders also jointly attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, underscoring the importance of cultural and social cooperation between the continent and China.

Speaking during the dialogue, both sides emphasized their shared identity as members of the Global South and their common positions on major international and regional issues, stressing the need to strengthen coordination to protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

According to the press release issued by the African Union, China and the AU “share broad consensus on major international and regional issues” and are committed to “injecting positive momentum into global and regional peace, stability, and development.”

The discussions focused on China–Africa joint efforts to advance modernization, global governance, and economic cooperation, including zero-tariff treatment and collaboration within multilateral institutions, as well as exchanges on peace and development in the Horn of Africa. The two principals reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and collective action in addressing security and development challenges across the region.

The African Union Commission Chairperson reiterated the AU’s firm support for the One-China principle, stating that “there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.”

The AU also expressed its support for “all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.”

Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to a global order based on international law, with particular emphasis on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes. They expressed concern over recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, noting that “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected” and that the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law must be upheld.

On development cooperation, the two sides agreed to enhance alignment between China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, alongside commitments under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation framework.

Chairperson Youssouf and Minister Wang reaffirmed their resolve to implement existing agreements and explore new areas of practical cooperation, with the aim of “delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of Africa and China.”