By HAN HAN News Desk
BEIJING — China’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho from Jan. 7 to Jan. 12, marking the launch of the China-Africa People-to-People Exchange Year.
The ministry said the trip continues a long-standing diplomatic tradition, with Africa serving as the destination of China’s first foreign visit of the year for the 36th consecutive year. The practice underscores Beijing’s strategic and diplomatic emphasis on its relations with African countries.
During the tour, Wang is expected to hold high-level talks with government leaders and foreign ministers, and to visit key economic and diplomatic sites aimed at strengthening cooperation in development, trade, security and cultural exchange, the ministry said.
The visit to Somalia is expected to draw particular attention, as it will represent the highest-level Chinese diplomatic visit to the country in nearly five decades, according to Somali and Chinese officials. Analysts say the visit signals Beijing’s growing engagement with Somalia amid renewed international focus on stability, reconstruction and security in the Horn of Africa.
China and Somalia have maintained diplomatic relations since the early 1960s, though high-level exchanges declined for decades following Somalia’s state collapse in 1991. In recent years, ties have gradually expanded through development assistance, humanitarian aid and cooperation within multilateral forums.
China has also increased its diplomatic and economic footprint across Africa through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which focuses on infrastructure development, trade, health, education and capacity building.
The Foreign Ministry said the upcoming tour aims to deepen political trust, expand practical cooperation and promote closer people-to-people ties between China and African nations at a time of shifting global dynamics.
Further details on Wang’s itinerary and specific agreements expected during the visit were not immediately disclosed.
