Minister stresses security cooperation

China stands ready to work with Africa to safeguard high-quality development with a high level of security, Defense Minister Dong Jun said on Thursday. He made the remarks while addressing the 4th China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Beijing.

Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, Dong said that China and Africa have stood together in the struggle against imperialism and colonialism and worked together to promote peace and development, forging a path of defense cooperation marked by mutual support and shared security.

President Xi Jinping announced the establishment of the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum on Sept 3, 2018, during the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The peace and security forum is meant to serve as a platform for strengthening exchanges in relevant areas.

This year's forum, themed "Building Security Together: Rendering Mutual Support for Seven Decades, Undertaking Shared Responsibility in New Realities", gathered military representatives and diplomatic envoys from the African Union and 41 African countries.

In his speech, Dong said that China-Africa security cooperation benefits both sides and contributes to global stability. "The two sides should carry forward their traditional friendship and stay on the path of long-term cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit," he added.

The Chinese military stands ready to work with African countries to strengthen strategic coordination, improve all-around and multilevel defense exchange mechanisms, deepen regional maritime security cooperation and enhance defense capabilities in emerging fields, Dong said. He also called for more practical outcomes from defense and security cooperation.

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn