China’s top diplomat has launched a New Year tour of Africa, opening a four-nation journey framed as a mission to deepen ties and boost trade.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi began the trip on Wednesday, signalling continuity with Beijing’s tradition of making Africa its first overseas destination each year.
The tour spans Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Lesotho, tracing a diplomatic arc across eastern and southern Africa until its conclusion on Monday.
China’s foreign ministry said the visit seeks to strengthen political trust, expand cooperation and encourage mutual learning between China and African partners.
Africa remains China’s largest trading partner region, with bilateral trade reaching 296 billion dollars in 2024, according to Chinese state media.
Over decades, Beijing has sent vast numbers of workers and engineers, while securing strategic access to copper, gold and lithium across the continent.
Wang’s stop in Somalia highlights China’s backing for the fragile Horn of Africa nation amid renewed diplomatic tension over the status of Somaliland.
Beijing recently condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, reiterating its firm opposition to any move that challenges Somalia’s territorial integrity.
In Tanzania, Wang arrives after a disputed October election, where reports said security forces killed more than 1,000 people during unrest.
Lesotho, the final stop, is still unsettled after protests erupted over mass job losses linked to United States tariffs on key exports.
Together, the destinations form a mosaic of opportunity and instability, reflecting both Africa’s promise and the political storms reshaping the region.