In a gesture of strong solidarity, President Xi Jinping sent congratulatory messages to the leaders of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Addressing Angolan President Joao Lourenco, the AU’s current chair, and AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, Xi praised Africa’s rising global role.
As the world navigates a century of dramatic shifts, Xi observed, the Global South – led prominently by Africa – is demonstrating remarkable resilience and progress. The AU’s leadership in 2024 unified member states, propelled continental integration, defended Africa’s interests fiercely, and boosted its voice on the world stage.
China, Xi affirmed, stands firm in its resolve to champion global peace, drive shared prosperity, and advance a shared future for humanity amid turbulent times.
A headline policy move: From May 1, 2026, China will apply zero tariffs across the board to exports from 53 diplomatically linked African countries. Beijing will push forward economic partnership pacts, upgrade green channels for trade, and broaden access for African goods in its vast market.
These initiatives mark China’s bold expansion of high-standard openness, set to create fresh avenues for Africa’s growth and propel joint modernization efforts between the two continents.
Marking seven decades of diplomatic ties, Xi evoked the enduring partnership where China and Africa have advanced hand-in-hand. Looking ahead, China seeks to nurture this friendship, deepen win-win collaboration, and strengthen bonds of understanding to forge a timeless China-Africa community for the new era.