The 2016 China Africa Youth Gala, hosted by the CPAFFC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and organized by the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Communist Youth League Committee of Guangdong Province and Guangdong Youth Federation, was inaugurated in Guangzhou on August 2, 2016. H.E. Mr. He Zhongyou, Vice governor of Guangdong Province, Mme. Lin Yi, Vice President of the CPAFFC and H.E. Mr. Victor Sikonina, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Madagascar to China attended and addressed the opening ceremony.

The Gala aims to implement the Follow-up Actions of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit in South Africa last December of enhancing China-Africa youth exchanges and hosting the China Africa Youth Gala in different countries in turn. During the four-day event, nearly 200 youth representatives from all walks of life from 18 African countries will carry out exchanges with their Guangdong counterparts in economy and trade, culture and social services.

During the Gala, a China Africa Startup Forum with the theme of "Young Start-ups create the Future" and a youth volunteer symposium will be held. The African youth will also visit the community administrative service center and high-tech enterprises in Shenzhen like Huawei, enjoy the lion dance and martial arts performances, and hold a gala with the Chinese youth. In this way, they will be able to learn about Guangdong and China from different perspectives and thus enhance China-Africa traditional friendship.