Exchanges nurture peace

Ever-increasing mutually beneficial military relations between China and Africa contribute to development

The visit of Chen Bingde, Chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to Namibia, Angola and Tanzania earlier this month has yielded positive results. It was the first visit by the PLA's Chief of General Staff to Africa since the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Beijing and the first ever to Angola and Namibia, and reflected the increasing military exchanges between China and Africa.

China-Africa military exchanges date back to the early 1960s. Despite being a weak power and facing the arduous task of self-development, China supported African countries' movement for liberation. This laid the foundation of a strong and long-term friendship between China and the African countries. China-Africa military ties have reached a new stage today, with increasing exchanges and more practical and wide-ranging cooperation.