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China’s defence chief tells African officials ‘tradition of helping each other will not change’
- In address at China-Africa forum in Beijing, General Li Shangfu says military cooperation will make the world more stable and predictable
- He also touts Global Security Initiative, saying ‘we should walk the new path of dialogue, not confrontation; of partnership, not alliance’
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The Chinese military will work more closely with African countries in combined drills and training as well as peacekeeping missions, China’s defence minister said at a security forum in Beijing on Tuesday.
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“The principle of seeing each other as equals will not change in China-Africa cooperation, and the tradition of helping each other will not change,” General Li Shangfu was quoted as saying by state-run tabloid Global Times.
Li said military cooperation would make the world more stable and predictable, addressing more than 100 defence officials and military chiefs from nearly 50 African nations and the African Union at the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum.
The six-day conference, which ends on Saturday, follows the annual Brics summit of emerging economies and the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue, both of which were held in Johannesburg, South Africa last week.
Aside from its economic aid and investment in the continent, China has worked with African armed forces to fight pirates, militias and terrorists, and trained dozens of African leaders.
Armed insurgents have kidnapped and killed some of the many Chinese builders and miners in Africa, where Beijing has invested heavily under its Belt and Road Initiative and “go out” policy that incentivised companies to invest abroad.
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China is also among the most popular destinations for military training for African officials. Dozens of current and former African leaders have attended Chinese military schools such as the People’s Liberation Army Command College in Nanjing.
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