UPDATE - China, Africa to hold joint naval drill next year

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS; REVISES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China and African nations will hold a joint naval drill next year as the two sides move to expand military cooperation.

A representative of the African Union told the ongoing third China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Beijing on Tuesday that the joint naval drill will be held in 2024, according to the Chinese English daily Global Times.

Addressing the forum, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu said: “China will enhance military cooperation with Africa in various fields such as joint exercises, peacekeeping and escorting, military education as well as professional training.”

Beijing’s cooperation with Africa “can inject more stability into the world,” Global Times quoted Li as saying.

He said Beijing will increase its military cooperation with the regional nations. “Good China-Africa cooperation can inject more stability into the world,” Li added.

The six-day-long forum is being held in the Chinese capital and will conclude on Saturday.

“In the future, China will enhance military cooperation with Africa in various fields including joint exercises, peacekeeping and escorting, military education as well as professional training in order to inject more certainty, stability and positive energy to a turbulent world,” said the Chinese defense chief.

Representatives from nearly 50 countries and regional organizations in Africa are attending the forum, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.

“China is the biggest developing country and Africa is the continent having the most developing countries. China and Africa share weak and woe. China is willing to firmly stand with African people to implement the Global Security Initiative and build a China-Africa community with shared future," Li said.

The Global Security Initiative was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping last year in April which “aims to eliminate the root causes of international conflicts, improve global security governance, encourage joint international efforts to bring more stability and certainty to a volatile and changing era, and promote durable peace and development in the world.”