African Union, China Reaffirm Shared Goals on Governance, Peace and Cooperation
Addis Ababa, January 9, 2026 (FMC) — The African Union Commission and China held the 9th China–African Union Strategic Dialogue at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa on 8 January 2026, reaffirming cooperation on modernization, global governance, regional development, and peace initiatives.
The chairperson of the African Union Commission and China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, jointly attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 China–Africa Year of People‑to‑People Exchanges during the same occasion.
During the dialogue, the two sides exchanged views on China-Africa joint efforts to advance modernization, global governance, zero-tariff treatment, the International Organization for Mediation, and the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa.
Both sides noted that China and the African Union, as members of the Global South, share broad consensus on major international and regional issues. They emphasized the importance of jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other in protecting their respective core interests and major concerns.
They underlined the need to further strengthen coordination and cooperation to promote global and regional peace, stability, and development.
The African Union side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the One-China principle, stating that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal representative. The AU expressed firm support for efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.
The two sides reiterated the importance of upholding a global order based on international law, particularly respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Both parties also expressed concern over recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, reaffirming that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, and that the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law must be observed.
They discussed cooperation in multiple fields, highlighting China-Africa joint efforts to advance modernization. In this context, they emphasized the importance of aligning China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 of the African Union and commitments under FOCAC.
Both sides agreed to enhance communication, coordination, and mutual support in their respective initiatives, including Agenda 2063 and its flagship projects such as Silencing the Guns by 2030 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on the African side, as well as the Global Security Initiative, Global Governance Initiative, and the International Organization for Mediation on the Chinese side.
Finally, the AU and Chinese officials reaffirmed their commitment to implement all signed cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding and agreed to explore the full potential for practical cooperation between China and the African Union, with a view to delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of Africa and China.