BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay official visits to Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Botswana, Tanzania and Seychelles from Jan. 4 to Jan. 9, 2021 at the invitation of foreign ministers of the five countries.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the announcement in Beijing Wednesday.

The Chinese foreign minister has chosen Africa for the first overseas visit each year since 1991, Wang Wenbin said, adding that Wang Yi's visits are a continuation of this fine tradition, which speaks volumes about the great importance China has always attached to China-Africa relations.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Africa have joined hands to fight the epidemic, which demonstrates a profound friendship. Under such circumstances, Wang Yi's visits also display China's sincere willingness and determination to deepen friendly relations with African countries in the post-epidemic era, the spokesperson added.

Wang Wenbin said 2021 will mark the final year of the implementation of the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit. During the visits, Wang Yi will push forward the implementation of the important consensus reached by the Chinese and African leaders and the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit On Solidarity against COVID-19.

The foreign minister's visits are also aimed at supporting African countries in economic recovery and fight against the epidemic, and promoting the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative to build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, Wang Wenbin added.