On January 8, the ninth China–African Union Strategic Dialogue was held at the headquarters of the African Union, jointly chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The dialogue marked an important moment in China–Africa relations, coming shortly after the newly elected leadership of the African Union Commission took office.

Responding to a question from Beijing Daily, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the African Union is a banner for Africa to seek strength through unity. She emphasized that China has always approached its relations with the AU from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, underscoring the importance China attaches to the role of the AU in representing Africa’s collective interests.

According to Mao Ning, the ninth China–AU Strategic Dialogue served as an important platform for strategic communication between China and the AU under the new AU Commission leadership. During the meeting, Wang Yi and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf held in-depth exchanges of views on China–Africa relations, China–AU cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest. These discussions helped deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance mutual support, and further consolidate solidarity and cooperation between the two sides.

Both sides agreed that, under the strategic guidance of Xi Jinping and African leaders, China–Africa relations have developed rapidly and entered a new stage. This stage is characterized by the joint building of an all-weather China–Africa community with a shared future for the new era. The dialogue reaffirmed the shared commitment to advancing this vision through closer coordination and cooperation.

China and the AU also agreed to continue firmly supporting each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns. Both sides committed to enhancing communication, coordination, and mutual support in their major initiatives. They further agreed to jointly uphold the international order based on international law and to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South.

During the dialogue, the AU side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle and expressed its firm support for all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. This reaffirmation was highlighted as an important political consensus underpinning China–AU relations.

Mao Ning concluded by saying that China stands ready to work with the African Union to implement the outcomes of the ninth China–AU Strategic Dialogue. She noted that both sides will continue to explore the full potential for practical cooperation, with the aim of delivering more tangible benefits to the Chinese and African people and further strengthening the China–AU partnership in the years ahead.

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