NAIROBI
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it is the “opportune time” to enhance strategic mutual trust and deepen strategic cooperation between Beijing and the African Union (AU), according to a statement Tuesday.
“China is the largest developing country, and the African Union is the regional organization with the most developing countries. It is an opportune time for both sides to strengthen strategic mutual trust, align their strategies, and deepen strategic cooperation,” Wang told Chinese media on Monday after concluding visits to the AU headquarters in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lesotho, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Beijing and the AU should address challenges, “safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of both China and Africa,” and contribute to world peace and development, he said.
Wang expressed his belief that China’s “enormous market will provide broader opportunities for Africa’s development,” while urging the international community to pay more attention to Africa and increase investment in the continent.
He also expressed Beijing’s readiness to work with African countries to establish institutionalized platforms and support them in “actively exploring successful paths that meet their actual needs, benefit their people, and fully utilize their resource endowments.”
“Only when China and Africa join hands to achieve modernization, can the world attain modernization. There can be no global modernization without the modernization of Africa,” added Wang.
China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with trade reaching $314 billion in the first 11 months of 2025.
Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
Wang’s visit marks the 36th consecutive year that Africa has been chosen as the destination for China’s foreign minister’s first overseas trip of the year.
