China wins applause for peace efforts in Africa

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Officials from the African Union and Ethiopia have commended China's "unwavering support and role" in helping realize peace and security across Africa.

China has been Africa's steadfast supporter through participating in conflict prevention, mediation and peace operations across the continent, said Frederic Gateretse-Ngoga, a senior adviser at the AU Commission.

"China has been supporting peace operations in Africa in conflict prevention and mediation, as well as advancing the continent's security agenda at the UN Security Council," Ngoga said.

The AU and the United Nations recently endorsed a joint road map on peace operations in Africa, for which China has been one of the financers in line with its policy of supporting AU peacekeeping operations, he said.

Yonas Adaye, a commissioner in the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, said China has significantly increased its personnel in UN peacekeeping operations in Africa over the past 20 years.

The evolving geopolitical dynamic has become fragile and there is a need for China and Africa to expand their strategic cooperation and engagement in preventive actions to deal with emerging threats, he said.

Xinhua