At the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, the African Young Officers Delegation (AYOD) with members from over 40 African countries visited China from July 17 to 23. During the tours to Beijing, Changsha and Shanghai, they listened to lectures on topics including China's national defense policy and China-Africa military cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Africa community with a shared future, national security and scientific and technological development. They also visited the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT), the Memorial Hall of Comrade Mao Zedong in Shaoshan, the Military Museum of Chinese People's Revolution, and other units and hi-tech enterprises, and had in-depth communication with young officers of the Chinese military.
This is the second time for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense to invite the AYOD to visit China. This aims to deepen the traditional friendship between the Chinese military and the militaries of African countries, enhance mutual understanding and exchanges between young military officers, and strengthen China-Africa cooperation on peace and security. Many participants said that this visit offered them a deeper understanding of the important visions proposed by President Xi including building the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era and the Global Security Initiative, and a first-hand experience of the development of China's national defense and military. They looked forward to having more opportunities to strengthen exchanges and carry forward the friendship with the Chinese counterparts and will make unremitting efforts to build an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future.
Source: Ministry of National Defense
Photo: He Shuyuan