Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter on Thursday to mark the opening ceremony of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2026.
In his letter, Xi stated that holding this year of exchanges to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa was a major consensus reached by the leaders of both sides, and that it represents a crucial step in consolidating public support for China-Africa friendship at a new historical starting point.
Exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, he explained, are an inexhaustible driving force for the progress of human civilization as well as for peace and development in the world. He also noted that the two great civilizations of China and Africa have enriched each other for thousands of years, serving as a historical and intellectual source of China-Africa friendship.
He urged both sides to seize the opportunity of this year of exchanges to carry forward their traditional friendship, strengthen mutual learning between civilizations, expand people-to-people exchanges—especially among the youth—deepen the sharing of governance experiences, and advance modernization together.
Through these efforts, Xi believes the two sides can promote closer ties among the more than 2.8 billion people living in China and Africa, uniting their hearts, minds, and strength. Furthermore, they can make new contributions to the solidarity of the Global South by addressing international challenges, promoting the common values of humanity, and building a community with a shared future for mankind, according to the Chinese President. (Source: Xinhua / Photo: VCG)