On February 14, 2026, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the rotating Chairperson of the African Union (AU) and President of Angola João Lourenço, and Chairperson of the AU Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on the convening of the 39th AU Summit, extending warm congratulations to African countries and people.

Xi Jinping noted that the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and the Global South has grown in strength remarkably. Over the past year, the AU has united and led African countries in actively advancing the integration process, firmly defending Africa's legitimate rights and interests, and continuously enhancing its international status and influence.

Xi Jinping emphasized that in the face of a changing and turbulent international landscape, China remains firmly committed to safeguarding world peace, advancing common development, and building a community with a shared future for humanity. Starting from May 1, 2026, China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. At the same time, China will continue to promote the negotiation and signing of the agreements on economic partnership for shared development and further expand access for African products exported to China by upgrading the "green channel" and other measures. This represents a new step in China's efforts to expand high-standard opening up, which will surely provide new opportunities for Africa's development and for China and Africa to jointly pursue the dream of modernization.

Xi Jinping stressed that over the 70 years since the start of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, the two sides have always stood together through thick and thin and moved forward side by side. China is ready to work with the African side to carry forward historical friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance mutual understanding and affinity, so as to jointly write a new chapter of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.