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China using its new Global Security Initiative to build military standing in Africa
- ‘China is ready to work with African friends in upholding the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security,’ President Xi tells forum
- Initiative might help lay the groundwork of growing Chinese activism on African security matters, analyst says
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China is promoting its new Global Security Initiative as a way to boost ties with African nations through military training, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism – even as Western powers like France and the US face resistance or are cutting back on their African military operations.
In a letter to the second China-Africa Peace and Security Forum on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on both to institute the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and safeguard international fairness and justice. He wrote that “realising lasting peace and universal security is the common aspiration of the Chinese and African people”.
“China is ready to work with African friends in upholding the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security,” Xi added.
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Announced in April, the GSI opposes the pursuit of a nation’s own security at the cost of others’ security or the wanton use of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. The initiative is the latest display of China’s ambition to be a leader in global governance and security.
Beijing is deepening its security cooperation with Africa, where it has contributed thousands of troops to the United Nations peacekeeping missions; has been training more military officials; and seeks further involvement in the peace process in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel regions. Further, a growing number of African countries are buying military arms and equipment from China.
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