China and Africa will hold nearly 600 people-to-people exchange activities in 2026 to deepen mutual learning between the two civilizations, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.
ID: 8460908 Her announcement came after the official launch of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Thursday.
"The 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges is a major initiative agreed between President Xi Jinping and African leaders during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the opening ceremony, expressing hope that both sides will take the people-to-people exchange year as an opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen mutual learning between civilizations, enhance exchanges, especially among youth, deepen sharing of governance experience, and work hand in hand to advance modernization. Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony, where he spoke highly of the achievements of China-Africa cultural exchanges and joined African guests in unveiling the logo for the Year of People-to-People Exchanges," said Mao.
"Throughout this year, the two sides will stage nearly 600 exchange activities under the theme of 'consolidating all-weather friendship, jointly pursuing modernization dreams' to enhance mutual learning between the two civilizations and promote people-to-people connectivity," she said.
China, Africa to stage 600 cultural exchange events in 2026
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the organization's member states to respect international law in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's latest remarks that he doesn't need international law.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, said at a press conference on Friday that the UN chief's reaction to Trump's remarks "is to redouble his message to all member states to respect the international law they themselves created".
In an interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, Trump declared that his global power is constrained only by his "own morality", saying it's the only thing that can stop him.
When asked whether his administration needs to abide by international law, Trump said he would be the arbiter when such constraints applied to the United States.
"It depends what your definition of international law is," he said.
The New York Times report said Trump's assessment of his own freedom to use any instrument of military, economic or political power to cement American supremacy was the most blunt acknowledgment yet of his worldview. At its core is the concept that national strength, rather than laws, treaties and conventions, should be the deciding factor as powers collide.
The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Maduro made his first court appearance on Jan 5 in New York, during which he pleaded not guilty to all U.S. charges.
Amid tensions with Venezuela, Trump has claimed the United States absolutely needs Greenland, saying he might try "hard ways" to take over the island, which has a strategically critical position and rich resources.
The latest U.S. moves have drawn worldwide condemnation for its violation of Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and international law.
UN chief calls for respect for international law in response to Trump’s remarks
