Admore Kambudzi (front), Acting Director of AU Peace and Security, visits the exhibition on China's peacekeeping achievements at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, March 18 

An exhibition showing the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (CPLA’s) missions and achievements in peacekeeping efforts across the globe was launched at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa on March 18.  

With the theme CPLA: A Force for World Peace, the exhibition consists of photographic displays in four sections: China’s military participation in UN peacekeeping missions, securing maritime passages, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, and exchanges and cooperation.   

In his opening speech, Chen Xufeng, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Mission to the African Union, told the more than 200 people in attendance that this is the first time China holds such an exhibition in the AU headquarters.   

According to Chen, the CPLA has participated in 24 UN peacekeeping missions, involving 39,000 peacekeepers. Of these missions, 16 were in Africa, involving 32,000 peacekeepers. At this moment, more than 2,000 Chinese peacekeepers are active in African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Sudan and South Sudan, striving to maintain regional peace and protect local residents.  

China peacekeeping exhibition launches at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on March 18 

China and Africa have long formed a community with a shared future and part of that future for China is the necessity to maintain peace and security in Africa, actively participate in the ongoing UN peacekeeping operations and escort missions in Africa, and provide strong support for AU peace and security missions.  

Speaking at the exhibition, Admore Kambudzi, Acting Director of AU Peace and Security, commended China for its ongoing support to Africa in various areas. Kambudzi said the partnership between China and the AU continues to grow from strength to strength. China has proven to be a valuable partner for Africa over the past two decades, Kambudzi said.  

Emphasizing China’s role in safeguarding international peace and security, Mao Naiguo, head of the CPLA’s international communication delegation, said since 2008, China has dispatched 31 naval escort squads to the waters off Somalia under the authority of the United Nations.   

“The Chinese military is also actively participating in international disaster relief and humanitarian aid,” Mao added.   

Calling the exhibition a channel to understand China’s efforts in the field of peace and security, Mamane Souley, Dean of Military Attaché Association in Addis Ababa, said it is well known that China is a very big friend of Africa.   

“As military experts, we can witness what China is doing in the matter of peace and security, helping bring and maintain peace on our continent,” he said.   

Also attending the event, Terje Thomesen, Military Attaché at the Norway Embassy, told Xinhua News Agency that China is a very important partner of Africa in maintaining peace and security. Recalling that he had once worked with Chinese officers at UNMISS (UN Mission in South Sudan), Thomesen recalled their dedication and professionalism.   

The five-day exhibition will be lasted until March 22.