China became the first country to open a fully dedicated permanent mission at African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, according to a report on CRIEnglish.

The mission, which opened Thursday, will allow China to better coordinate its major projects on the continent and enhance diplomatic activities, according to the report.

Kuang Weilin, former ambassador to Sierra Leone, was appointed head of China’s mission to the African Union.

Zhang Ming, vice foreign minister of China and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, chairwoman of the African Union Commission, inaugurated the mission.

The mission is expected to have separate departments for politics, economics, culture, peace and security.

Zuma said the move is an indication of the Chinese commitment towards the development of the continent.

Zhang Ming said the mission will enable China to better coordinate its major projects on the continent and enhance its diplomatic activities.

Since 2005, Chinese ambassadors to Ethiopia have also been representatives to the A.U.

In 2005, Zhang said, China was the first country to send a permanent representative to the A.U.