China urges UN to support African peacekeeping efforts

Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Beijing will support African Union’s efforts to stabilise conflict zones and set up a standing army to deal with crises

Chinese influence and investments have grown across the continent in recent years

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:00pm, 20 Apr 2021Updated: 8:00pm, 20 Apr 2021

China has urged the United Nations and regional organisations to do more to help African nations reduce conflict across the continent.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also called for financial assistance for the continent and said China would continue to support the African Union’s efforts to integrate the continent.

“The United Nations should help Africa improve its independent capabilities for peacekeeping, maintaining stability and fighting terrorism, and help speed up the construction of an African standing army, a quick response force and early warning mechanism, while providing sustainable financial assistance for the African Union’s peace and security operations,” Wang told a UN Security Council debate on Monday.

Wang mentioned that China had pledged to donate 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines to UN peacekeepers with priority given to the African mission area.

“In face of mounting challenges in the field of international peace and security, the United Nations should work jointly with regional organisations towards safeguarding multilateralism and contributing to world peace and development,” he said.

China signed a cooperation agreement with African Union late last year to promote theBelt and Road Initiative, China’s vast global infrastructure building project. Besides, at least 44 African countries have signed belt and road cooperation documents with China, accounting for one-third of the total signatories.