Africa/China: China’s Chief diplomat begins African Tour this saturday

As announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi begins his diplomatic tour of four African countries tomorrow, Saturday 13 January.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will first visit Egypt, then Turkey, before moving on to the other two African countries on the programme, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire.

According to reports, this will take him a total of six (06) days, from 13 to 18 January 2024.

It is a tradition established since 1991: the first trip of the year by the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs invariably begins in Africa, with the focus on preparations for the Forum on China-Africa Economic Cooperation (FOCAC), according to Mao Ning.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit is aimed at coordinating the new session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and consolidating the momentum of unity and cooperation between China and Africa.

He will be in Tunisia from 14 to 16 January, according to Tunisian media reports.

After his African tour, Wang Yi will extend his trip to Brazil and Jamaica, where he will stay from 18 to 22 January, added Mao.

The choice of Togo as part of this tour is a logical one. Lomé and Beijing enjoy close political and economic ties.