Enduring Tides, Rising Bonds
On 30 May 1956, China and Egypt established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in China–Africa diplomacy. The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of China’s formal diplomatic relations with African countries. To commemorate this milestone, China and African states have jointly designated 2026 as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
Over the past seven decades, despite profound changes in the international landscape, China and Africa have consistently stood together, overcome difficulties side by side, and advanced cooperation in a sustained manner. This enduring partnership has not only delivered tangible benefits to both sides but also set an important example of South–South cooperation and contributed significantly to the evolution of international relations.
Partnership spirit
From the 1950s and 1960s through the period before China’s reform and opening up in 1978, China and African countries forged close bonds in their common struggle against colonialism and hegemonism and in their shared pursuit of national independence and development.
Despite its own economic constraints, China extended substantial assistance to African countries in the form of political, moral and material support. One of the most emblematic examples is the Tanzania–Zambia Railway, a landmark project that China undertook at a time of significant domestic hardship. The railway not only facilitated regional connectivity in Africa but also broke the long-standing colonial monopoly over inland transport routes, becoming a powerful symbol of solidarity and self-reliance among developing countries.
At the same time, African countries also provided crucial and consistent support to China on major international issues. The most notable example was China’s restoration of its lawful seat in the UN in 1971. In that vote, 26 African countries supported China, accounting for 34 percent of the total votes cast. This decisive support played a key role in restoring China’s legitimate rights at the UN and laid a solid foundation of political trust for the long-term development of China–Africa relations.
Since China’s reform and opening up in 1978, China–Africa cooperation has gradually broadened into multiple fields, forming a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership structure. The establishment of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation in 2000 marked a major institutional breakthrough, providing an important platform for collective dialogue and practical cooperation, and pushing China–Africa relations into a new stage of structured and systematic development.
In the new era, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and African leaders, China–Africa relations have achieved historic progress. Exchanges on governance experience and modernisation pathways have deepened continuously, injecting strong momentum into the broader process of South–South cooperation and global solidarity.
Seventy years of progress
Political mutual trust between China and Africa has deepened continuously, and bilateral relations have been steadily elevated. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has consistently placed Africa in an important position in its foreign policy and regards solidarity and cooperation with African countries as a key pillar of its international engagement.
In 2013, in his first overseas visit after assuming the presidency, President Xi chose Africa as his destination. During the visit, he emphasised the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests. These principles have since become a guiding framework for China’s engagement with Africa.
The relationship has evolved ever since - from a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2015 to an all-weather China–Africa community with a shared future in 2024. Each stage reflects deeper cooperation, broader scope and richer substance.
Practical cooperation has also produced substantial results. China–Africa trade has continued to grow at a rapid pace. In 2025, bilateral trade reached $348.05 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 17.7 percent. This marked a historic high and the 17th consecutive year in which China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner.
Investment cooperation has also expanded steadily. By 2023, China’s stock of direct investment in Africa had exceeded $40 billion, and more than 3,000 Chinese enterprises were operating across the continent. At the institutional level, China has signed bilateral investment treaties with 34 African countries, and investment facilitation mechanisms continue to improve.
Infrastructure cooperation remains one of the most visible and impactful areas of China–Africa engagement. Africa is now China’s second-largest overseas engineering contracting market, with cumulative project revenue exceeding $400 billion. Major landmark projects such as the Tanzania–Zambia Railway and the Mombasa–Nairobi Railway, alongside numerous small yet “beautiful” projects, have delivered concrete benefits to local communities and contributed to economic and social development.
Cooperation in emerging sectors is also gaining strong momentum. China has supported countries such as Algeria and Ethiopia in launching meteorological and communications satellites, strengthening their technological capabilities. At the same time, new forms of cooperation such as Silk Road e-commerce are helping to unlock Africa’s potential in the digital and innovation-driven economy.
In the international arena, the two sides consistently support each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns. China firmly supports Africa’s independent choice of development path, encourages African-led solutions to African issues, and actively promotes greater international attention to addressing historical injustices faced by the continent.
China was the first country to support the African Union’s inclusion in the G20 and has actively advocated for greater African representation and voice in global governance. It has also supported the accession of Egypt and Ethiopia to BRICS, further strengthening the collective influence of the Global South.
Shared development vision
Looking ahead, China–Africa cooperation will continue to advance under the combined momentum of zero-tariff policies, civilisational exchange and the coordinated implementation of the four major global initiatives, delivering higher-quality and more sustainable outcomes.
The zero-tariff initiative represents a major step forward in China–Africa economic cooperation. Since 1 May, China has granted zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. At the same time, it continues to promote economic partnership negotiations and expand market access for African products through upgraded trade facilitation measures such as “green channels.”
In the short term, this helps African countries to expand exports to China and diversify their external markets. In the long term, it lays the groundwork for deeper economic integration.
As implementation deepens, China and Africa will gain a clearer understanding of each other’s large and complementary markets. This will further strengthen the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and African development strategies, enhance connectivity between the two economies and build stronger foundations for long-term cooperation.
The 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges will further strengthen civilisational dialogue. Nearly 600 exchange activities will be held across education, culture, tourism, youth and media. These activities will deepen people-to-people bonds, strengthen social foundations and promote mutual understanding between civilisations.
At the same time, China and Africa are jointly advancing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilisation Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative. These frameworks are helping China–Africa cooperation to move beyond traditional economic engagement towards a higher stage characterised by shared ideas, coordinated norms and improved governance alignment.
This transformation not only provides a strong foundation for jointly addressing global challenges and pursuing development but also contributes to broader efforts to reform the global governance system and promote a more just, equitable and inclusive international order.
By Ma Hanzhi and Li Xiaoyu
The authors are researchers of Department for Developing Countries Studies, China Institute of International Studies
