10th China-Africa Youth Festival opens in Beijing

The 10th China-Africa Youth Festival opened in Beijing on Oct. 29, bringing together more than 60 young delegates from 50 African member states of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the African Union Commission, among others. 

The event is co-hosted by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF).

Li Bin, chairperson of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, addresses the opening ceremony of the 10th China-Africa Youth Festival in Beijing, China, Oct. 29, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Li Bin, chairperson of the CSCLF, attended the opening ceremony and declared the festival open. Li underscored the longstanding friendship between the Chinese and African peoples, forged through mutual support in their struggles for national independence and development. Calling on young people to seize opportunities, deepen exchanges and mutual learning, and strengthen solidarity and mutual trust, Li encouraged them to take on greater responsibilities in their own countries and contribute to China-Africa friendship and cooperation through concrete actions.

Liu Xianfa, special representative of the Chinese government on African affairs, addresses the opening ceremony of the 10th China-Africa Youth Festival in Beijing, China, Oct. 29, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Liu Xianfa, special representative of the Chinese government on African affairs, highlighted the strong momentum in China-Africa relations, citing close high-level exchanges, mutual support, the implementation of zero-tariff measures and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. He encouraged young delegates to gain a better understanding of China, contribute to China-Africa modernization and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Hodan Osman, Somalia's ambassador to China, addresses the opening ceremony of the 10th China-Africa Youth Festival in Beijing, China, Oct. 29, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Hodan Osman, Somalia's ambassador to China, also addressed the opening ceremony, while Vadim Osdet Mvouba, a youth representative from the Republic of the Congo, spoke on behalf of the African delegates. More than 200 people attended the event, including ambassadors and diplomats from more than 30 countries such as Benin, Niger and Seychelles, along with young representatives from China and Africa and members of the media.

Vadim Osdet Mvouba, a youth representative from the Republic of the Congo, addresses the opening ceremony of the 10th China-Africa Youth Festival in Beijing, China, Oct. 29, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

On the opening day, delegates visited the Forbidden City and participated in traditional Chinese cultural activities.

As part of the festival, delegates will also visit northwest China's Shaanxi province, where they will tour a BYD automobile factory, explore the Terracotta Warriors Museum, experience the Tang dynasty-inspired atmosphere of Datang Everbright City at night, and visit revolutionary sites and memorials in Yan'an.

The opening ceremony of the 10th China-Africa Youth Festival is held in Beijing, China, Oct. 29, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The China-Africa Youth Festival was launched following a consensus reached by Chinese and African leaders at the 2015 FOCAC Johannesburg Summit. Nine editions have been held since 2016 to promote exchanges among young people, carry forward the traditional friendship between China and Africa, and foster future generations of friendship builders.

This year's festival, which runs from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3, is one of the key activities of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.