AU hosts exhibition on PLA peacekeeping effort
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — A fiveday exhibition showing the People’s Liberation Army’s practices and achievements in safeguarding world peace and advancing common development opened on Monday at the African Union Headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
At the opening, Chen Xufeng, charge d’affaires of the Chinese Mission to the African Union, said the PLA has always been a steadfast force in maintaining world peace.
Mao Naiguo, head of PLA’s international communication delegation, said China and Africa have worked for common development for decades.
“The Chinese military is also actively participating in international disaster relief and humanitarian aid,” Mao added.
The PLA has participated in 24 UN peacekeeping missions, 16 of them in Africa, officials said.
Admore Kambudzi, acting director of the Peace and Security Department of the AU, commended China for its support of Africa.
Kambudzi said the partnership between China and the AU continues to grow.
China has proved to be a valuable partner for Africa over the past two decades, Kambudzi said.
Some of the attendees said during the opening of the exhibition that China has played a significant role in promoting peace and security on the continent.
Mamane Souley, dean of the Military Attache Association of Addis Ababa, hailed China’s contribution to Africa’s peace and security as that of a “very good friend” of the continent.
“I would like to congratulate China. We all know that China is a very big friend of Africa. As a military expert, we can witness what China is doing in matters of peace and security, helping our continent bring and maintain peace,” he said.
Terje Thomesen, military attache at the Norwegian embassy, said at the event that China is a very important partner of Africa in peace and security.
Recalling that he had once worked with Chinese officers at the UN Mission in South Sudan, Thomesen said that Chinese officers were professional and capable.