Reference News Network, January 11 report: The U.S. Foreign Policy website published an article on January 9 analyzing that it has become a convention for China's Foreign Minister to visit African countries first every year. In countries such as Ethiopia and Tanzania, the welcome of this visit is not only symbolic, ritualistic or traditional, but because these countries hope to carry out specific economic and diplomatic cooperation with China.

The article pointed out that China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit also provides an platform for African countries to clarify their regional and domestic political views, which are often filtered by external narratives. Many African countries are facing separatist pressures. It is important that China's support does not take the form of military aid, but rather strengthens diplomatic cooperation through development cooperation and institutional capacity building.

At present, due to the reduction in aid budgets by OECD countries, the relationship between African countries and these countries is becoming increasingly distant.

This visit also provides space for broader exchanges on development and multilateralism.

China believes that African issues should be resolved by Africans in African ways, and this position continues to translate into a stable policy prioritizing development.

This explains why China's Foreign Minister is warmly welcomed in countries with different situations. China's appeal lies not in a uniform solution, but in the fact that cooperation with China is considered predictable and adaptable, and is based on long-term development trajectories rather than short-term political cycles. Countries with relatively smooth development processes hope to expand cooperation, while those facing post-conflict recovery and increasing risks of external shocks consider deepening cooperation with China to be of great value. (Translated by Xu Yanhong)

This is the opening ceremony of the "Comrades Along the Way - Painting Exhibition on the TAZARA Railway" held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on November 26, 2025. (Xinhua News Agency)

Original: toutiao.com/article/7593998002298995238/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.