A theme exhibition "CPLA (Chinese People's Liberation Army): A Force for World Peace" was launched at the headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 18, 2019.
Over 200 people, including officials from AU Headquarters, envoys and military representatives from the AU member states, representatives from the African Standby Force (ASF) and the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC), officials from the UN, NATO and other international organizations, as well as representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Pakistan, Cuba, Argentina, Mexico and other international partners attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.
Mr. Chen Xufeng, Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Mission to the African Union, Dr. Admore Kambudzi, Ag. Director of the Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission, Mamane Souley, Defense Attaché of Niger to Ethiopia and to the AU and Dean of the Military Attaché Association in Addis Ababa, and Senior Colonel Mao Naiguo, Head of the Chinese PLA International Communication Delegation, delivered speeches at the ceremony.
Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Mission to the African Union Chen Xufeng said in his speech that as the largest developing country and the continent with the largest number of the developing countries, China and Africa has already been a community with a shared future. China has long paid close attention to the cause of peace and security in Africa and has provided strong support for the construction of the ASF and the peace and security operations of the AU. China does not attach any political conditions to its aid to Africa, which is the "secret" of the long-term sound development of China-Africa relations.
Senior Colonel Mao Naiguo said in his speech that up until now, the Chinese military has participated in 24 UN peacekeeping operations, 16 of which are in Africa. More than 2000 Chinese service members are now carrying out peacekeeping missions in Africa. China has dispatched 31 batches of naval escort task forces to Somali waters since 2008. The Chinese military has also actively participated in international disaster relief and humanitarian assistance in Africa. The Chinese military is willing to make positive contributions to building a united, peaceful and prosperous Africa and a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.
Dr. Admore Kambudzi, Ag. Director of the Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission, speak highly of the crucial support provided by China to Africa in almost every field, especially in the fields of peace and security, hailing China is a model partner for the AU and Africa.
Mamane Souley, Defense Attaché of Niger to Ethiopia and to the AU and Dean of the Military Attaché Association in Addis Ababa, said that China has always been committed to peace in Africa, has been an important partner of African countries in the field of peace and security, and has long made many tangible contributions to Africa.
The exhibition, held in the lobby of the AU new conference center, features more than 60 representative photographs in four parts, including "participation in UN peacekeeping operations", "safeguarding the security of international transit passages", "providing international rescue and assistance", "carrying out security exchanges and cooperation", together with short movies. It panoramically presents the stories and footprints of the Chinese service members in fulfilling their peace missions, and demonstrates the substantial support and positive contribution of the Chinese military to the peace and security cause in Africa.
The audience were fascinated by the vivid stories behind the photographs in DRC, Liberia, Gulf of Aden, etc., hailing that China is a responsible contributor to and reliable friend of Africa and has been playing a significant role in promoting peace and security on the African continent and the world as a whole. Many said they were deeply impressed with the Chinese military's outstanding contribution to maintaining world peace, both in maintaining regional peace and stability and in helping local people improve their lives.
The exhibition will conclude on March 22, 2019.