China and Africa share a common future. As the largest developing country, China has established long and important relationship with Africa, the continent with the most developing countries. In recent years, China-Africa cooperation has been continuously expanded and deepened with the platform of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). In a world of major development, transformation and adjustments, peace and development remain our common aspirations and strategic choice informed by profound reflection on the past, present and the future. To serve the national strategy as well as build world class university, with support from UNESCO, the “China-Africa Leadership Development Institute” (CALDI) was established by Tsinghua University on June 6, 2018. Since Nov. 2025, CALDI was named as "Tsinghua University Africa Center".

During the 2018 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, China and 53 African countries and African Union Commission (AUC) adopted by consensus the Beijing Declaration -- Toward an Even Stronger China-Africa Community with a Shared Future and China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2019-2021), emphasizing that people-to-people exchange and cooperation are of great significance to Chinese and African people in enhancing understanding, friendship and cooperation, and encouraging mutual learning and cooperation in culture and education. CALDI is committed to enhancing cooperation between Tsinghua University and African countries in academic research, cultural exchange, talent cultivation and technological innovation, so as to promote the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, the Belt and Road initiative, Agenda 2063 as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Organizational tructure

The Board:

Director: YANG Bin (Vice Diretor of Tsinghua University Council)

Co-Director: Margaret Chan

Members:

CHEN Qixin (Office of International Affairs)

ZHAO Cen (Student Affairs Office)

YANG Yongheng (Office of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Administration)

TIAN Jing (Administration of Lifelong Learning Education)

The Management Team:

Directors: Margaret Chan, Getachew ENGIDA

Executive Director: TANG Kun