A photo exhibition showcasing China-Africa cooperation opened in Addis Ababa on September 27, 2026, as part of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African nations. The event, held at the Ethiopian capital, featured 60 historical images organized under five themes: Chinese modernization achievements, China's diplomatic initiatives, bilateral exchanges, Belt and Road projects, and the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. The exhibition aimed to strengthen mutual understanding and highlight collaborative efforts between the two regions.
Aboubakri Diaw, chief of staff at the Office of the UN Economic Commission for Africa Executive Secretary, praised the exhibition's comprehensive coverage of China-Africa partnerships. He noted a personal connection to the display, citing a photograph of himself participating in a UN Chinese Language Day event. Balew Demissie, a senior consultant at Ethiopia's Policy Studies Institute, emphasized the significance of infrastructure projects documented in the exhibition, particularly the Aysha II Wind Power Plant in Ethiopia's Somali Regional State, which he described as a testament to China's role in African development.
The exhibition coincided with the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and the 77th anniversary of the People's Republic of China's founding. It was co-organized by the Chinese Mission to the African Union, the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, and Xinhua News Agency Africa Regional Bureau. Over 1,200 attendees, including Ethiopian officials, AU and UN representatives, diplomats, academics, and members of the Chinese community, gathered to celebrate the enduring partnership between China and Africa.
Public officials and experts emphasized the exhibition's role in fostering transparency and cultural exchange. Demissie's intention to document the images for academic study underscored the event's educational value. As China and Africa continue to deepen their ties through infrastructure, diplomacy, and cultural initiatives, such exhibitions serve as tangible markers of evolving bilateral relationships.