In this file photo dated Sept 13, 2021, then Chinese ambassador to the United States Qin Gang speaks during a virtual meeting with board members of the US-China Business Council in Washington DC. (LIU JIE / XINHUA)

Foreign Minister Qin Gang will visit Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, Egypt, the African Union Headquarters and the League of Arab States Headquarters from Jan 9 to 16, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced on Monday.

Wang told a regular news briefing that the visit is to deepen the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, and boost friendly cooperation between China and Africa.

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"This is the 33rd consecutive year that Africa has been the destination of Chinese foreign ministers' annual first overseas visit," Wang added.