Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi-Zimpapers Politics Hub
ON January 8, the launching ceremony of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was held at the African union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the event and delivered a keynote speech. Over 200 participants from African countries, including Zimbabwean diplomats and officials, were present at the event.
2026 is a special opportunity and Zimbabwe should stand ready to seize the opening to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in such fields as culture, education, tourism, arts, and among the youth.
The launch of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges coincided with Minister Wang’s six-day tour of four African countries, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho.
This marked the 36th consecutive year that Africa has been the destination for Chinese foreign ministers’ first overseas trip of the year, a tradition that has allowed relations between China and Africa to grow from strength to strength.
During Thursday’s launch in Addis Ababa, Minister Wang joined other African leaders in unveiling the logo for the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The logo was more than symbolic. In an era marked by profound global turbulence and transformation, the enduring partnership between China and Africa stands as a crucial pillar of stability and progress. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that the two parties jointly champion the principles of fairness and justice on the world stage, giving greater voice to the common aspirations of developing nations.
After the recent action by the US on Venezuela, China and Africa need to stand together against those who flout international laws.
There is a greater need for China and Africa to fortify solidarity and mutual support, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in safeguarding core interests and pursuing the rights to development.
China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Latest customs data shows that in just the first 11 months of 2025, bilateral trade reached $314 billion, a 17, 8 percent year-on-year increase. This figure already surpasses the entire 2024 total and marks the first time China-Africa trade has crossed the $300 billion threshold.
In his remarks at the launch in Addis Ababa, Minister Wang said that the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, with major historical shifts taking place in the international landscape.
“The Global South, represented by China and Africa, is developing and rising irresistibly. Meanwhile, the world remains far from peaceful. The law of the jungle runs counter to international law and the basic norms of international relations, while power politics and acts of bullying infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries,” said Minister Wang.
Why People-to-People Exchanges Matter
Unveiling the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges is a significant initiative jointly agreed upon by African Heads of State and China’s President Xi Jinping at the 2024 Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
In his congratulatory letter delivered at the launch in Addis Ababa, President Xi elaborated on the significance of mutual learning among civilisations in advancing modernisation for China and Africa. He outlined the direction and principles of China-Africa people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation. This, he said, fully demonstrated deep reflections on human history and civilisation and provided important guidance for building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
In recent years, under the joint guidance of leaders on both sides, China-Africa people-to-people and cultural exchanges have flourished and delivered fruitful results, teeming with vitality.
Facts have shown that people-to-people exchanges form the most solid foundation of China-Africa friendship, while mutual learning among civilisations serves as the strongest driving force for China-Africa cooperation.
Key activities to look forward to
The China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges promises a dynamic series of events designed to deepen understanding, foster innovation and build lasting bonds between the peoples of China and Africa.
Citizens across the spectrum of Zimbabwean society are poised to gain substantially from the deepening of bilateral relations.
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, already basking in the glory of being named the World’s Best Tourism Resort by Forbes last year, is set to receive more Chinese visitors this year.
This will be facilitated under the tourism cooperation agreement that allows Chinese group tours, paving the way for large visitor inflows to the country’s resorts.
As a central pillar of the 2026 engagement, reciprocal exchange visits between Zimbabwe and China will be significantly intensified throughout the year, fostering direct dialogue and partnership at both professional and cultural levels. Concurrently, educational prospects will be expanded, with a notable increase in scholarship offerings for Zimbabwean students pursuing both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in China, empowering the next generation with knowledge and cross-cultural expertise.
According to the concept paper on the China-Africa People to People Exchanges, this year’s programme will be centred on a multi-sectoral invitation to engage, collaborate and celebrate a thriving partnership.
For youths and future leaders, the year is particularly action-packed. A series of flagship events, including the China-Africa Youth Festival, the Future Leaders’ Dialogue, and the Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, will provide platforms for dialogue, creative collaboration, and networking. The establishment of a China-Africa Youth Space Alliance and study trips for young African leaders underscore a commitment to nurturing the next generation of cooperation.
The cultural sphere will be a kaleidoscope of colour and connection. Zimbabwean creatives, such as musicians, artists, sculptors and actors, will get multiple opportunities to expand their careers.
Through the “Cultural Silk Road” Exchange Month, Film and Audio-visual Screenings, and the Conference on Dialogue Between Chinese and African Civilisations, artists, filmmakers, and performers will share their heritage. Sports enthusiasts can connect at the China-Africa Wushu (Martial Arts) Conference, while literary and tourism exchanges, including joint photo exhibitions and participation in major book fairs, will bring the richness of both continents directly to the public.
Beyond culture, the year focuses on tangible livelihood and welfare collaborations. Key forums like the FOCAC Poverty Reduction and Development Conference and the “100 Medical Teams in 1 000 Villages” programme aim to share practical solutions and improve well-being. Efforts to establish more sister-city relationships will localise and solidify friendships, bringing cooperation directly to communities. This will enable local authorities, towns and cities from all provinces in Zimbabwe to have twinning arrangements that facilitate mutually-beneficial cooperation.
Intellectual exchange forms a critical pillar, under the theme of a “Symphony of Ideas.” Think tanks and media will engage in pivotal dialogues, such as the Seminars on Chinese Modernisation and African Development, to share governance and development experiences. Visits by delegations from the African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council will further enrich this policy and idea-sharing ecosystem.
Also, 2026 dedicates significant energy to empowering talent as a driver of progress. Through the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum, Vocational Training programmes, and targeted initiatives like the Capability Enhancement Program me for African Female Leaders and the African Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme, the focus is on building skills in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership for the modern economy.
The year will culminate in a closing ceremony to celebrate the collective achievements, recognise exemplary projects, and showcase the enduring spirit of the China-Africa friendship through cultural performances.
