On August 11, 2016, when jointly meeting the press with Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa of Uganda after holding talks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted at inquiry that no matter how the international and regional situations change, African countries are always the closest brothers of China, and China is always the most reliable and good friend of African countries. Over the years, we have adhered to the way of resolving hotspot issues with Chinese characteristics and actively participated in Africa’s causes of peace and security, which is highly recognized and praised by all African countries. Wang Yi summarized China’s efforts to safeguard peace and stability in Africa in five keywords.

First, peacekeeping. China has sent the most peacekeepers to Africa among five permanent members of the UN Security Council. At present, more than 2,400 Chinese peacekeepers are conducting peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, Mali and other 5 task zones in Africa. China is also the second largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping missions. Not long ago, Chinese peacekeepers were wounded and even lost their lives in Mali and South Sudan. They sacrificed their valuable lives for the sake of peace and security in Africa as well as the happiness and well-being of the African people.

Second, mediation. In the past two years, the Chinese side has initiated two meetings on the South Sudan issue, actively supported the mediation efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and put forward several Chinese proposals. Special Representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs has shuttled back and forth more than 20 times among relevant countries to promote the settlement of the South Sudan issue and the Burundi issue.

Third, assistance. China supports friendly African countries to strengthen capacity building in national defense and stability maintenance and provides assistance to relevant African countries and the African Union as well as other regional organizations for their peacekeeping operations in Darfur, Somalia and other areas through bilateral and multilateral channels. The Chinese side is speeding up the implementation of the free military aid of 100 million USD to the African Union announced by President Xi Jinping last year, so as to support the standing army construction in Africa.

Fourth, escort. China actively participates in the UN’s escort missions and anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters. Since 2009, China has dispatched 23 batches of naval fleets to carry out escort missions for over 6,000 passing ships. This year, as rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, China has proposed an open debate on piracy issues in the Gulf of Guinea, which is warmly welcomed by African countries, especially Western African countries.

Fifth, development. China believes that to maintain long-lasting peace and stability, Africa must address both the symptoms and root causes and take comprehensive measures. Eliminating poverty and achieving development are the correct way to fundamentally address instability and insecurity. The Chinese side is comprehensively implementing the ten major China-Africa cooperation plans proposed by President Xi Jinping at the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation at the end of last year. China also supports various African countries, including Uganda, to accelerate industrialization and agricultural modernization so as to help Africa move towards overall revitalization and prosperity.