On February 18, 2023, President Xi Jinping sent a message to the 36th African Union (AU) Summit, extending warm congratulations to African countries and the African people.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that over the past year, the AU has united and led African countries to actively respond to global challenges and speed up the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and played an important role in mediating hotspot issues in Africa, which has boosted Africa's international status and influence. President Xi expressed his sincere wishes that African countries and people will continue to achieve greater success on their path of development and revitalization.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that China-Africa relations maintained sound momentum of development in 2022, and China-Africa cooperation has moved ahead to be all-round, multi-tiered and high-quality, taking the lead in international cooperation with Africa. President Xi expressed his readiness to work with leaders of African countries to further strengthen friendly cooperation between China and Africa, enhance coordination and collaboration on international and regional affairs, and work for the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.