Maputo, 14 Apr 2026 (Lusa) – Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo begins a seven-day state visit to China on Thursday, the Chinese government announced on Tuesday.
"At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, the president of Mozambique, Daniel Francisco Chapo, will conduct a state visit to China from 16 to 22 April," stated the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Lusa previously reported on 18 March that parliament had authorised this state visit, and Chapo has expressed his intention to elevate bilateral cooperation to a new level.
On 18 February, Mozambique's president conveyed to his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, his objective to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in 2026, reaffirming his support for the "One China" principle.
"The Republic of Mozambique reaffirms its firm determination to continue working, side by side, with the People's Republic of China, in strengthening ties of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity, reiterating his support for the "One China" principle," Chapo wrote in a message marking the Chinese New Year.
Mozambique's head of state emphasised the special significance of 2026, highlighting the values that underpin bilateral relations as “the Year of People-to-People Cooperation, takes on special significance by promoting the values of friendship, solidarity and mutual understanding, which Mozambique shares and cultivates within the framework of its global strategic partnership with China.”
The message recalls the 50-year historical importance of relations between the two countries, which currently focus on "comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation". Chapo views 2026 as a strategic opportunity to elevate bilateral cooperation to a new level.
Mozambique paid China more than €36 million in debt service in just the first three months of 2025, according to Ministry of Finance data from November, and it remains the country’s leading bilateral creditor. A debt management report shows that debt service to China weighed most heavily on Mozambican accounts between January and March, with $35.51 million (€30.6 million) in repayments and $6.77 million (€5.8 million) in interest. Mozambique’s debt to China totalled $1.347 billion (€1.158 billion) at the end of June.
The Chinese government previously waived interest on loans granted to Mozambique until 2024 and donated €12 million to the nation, Mozambique's Prime Minister Benvinda Levi announced in October. "We had two positive pieces of news from President Xi Jinping; one was a donation of 100 million Yuan, the Chinese currency (€12 million) and the waiver of interest on loans granted to Mozambique until 2024," Levi told journalists following a two-day visit to China.
Mozambique's government plans six state visits by the president and the signing of five international agreements in 2026.
Mozambican authorities have planned state visits to Canada, Botswana, Angola, Russia, China, and Vietnam for 2026, according to international cooperation documents supporting the Economic and Social Plan and State Budget.
The document justifies these visits as part of an effort to "strengthen and deepen relations of fellowship, friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between peoples and countries." These official missions aim to mobilise financing to enable the national development agenda.
PVJ/RYOL // ADB.
Lusa
