China celebrated for its pursuit of global peace

The People's Liberation Army of China has been hailed for being a champion and contributor to world peace through acts like being the second-biggest financial contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping budget and the largest troop contributor among permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Speaking at the Chinese embassy in Kenya on Thursday, John Omenda, the vice-chief of the Kenya Defense Forces, welcomed China's readiness to work with Horn of Africa countries, including Kenya, to strive for in-depth implementation of the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa.

Omenda was addressing guests who had gathered at the embassy to mark the 97th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army. He thanked China for its focus on the three main goals of security, development, and governance. Through military collaboration, he called for China not to relent in jointly promoting peace, cooperation, and common development that will help turn the Horn of Africa into a region of peace and prosperity.

"Military-to-military relationship is an important pillar of the overall China-Kenya relations. In recent years, our two countries have made significant progress in high-level visits, professional exchanges, personnel training, and military aid that will contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and trust, friendship, and cooperation of our armed forces," Omenda said.

Qiu Yawei, the defense attaché of the Chinese embassy in Kenya, said the People's Liberation Army has embraced the doctrine of peaceful development and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. While reiterating China's commitment to global peace as a prerequisite to achieve shared prosperity, he said that China and Kenya's military will continue to collaborate in the pursuit of peace.

"Our two sides have agreed to take the strategic common understanding of President Xi Jinping and President William Ruto as a guide to promoting the building of a China-Kenya community with a shared future," Qiu said.

Zhou Pingjian, China's ambassador to Kenya, said China always supports peace and development and is thus ready to work with Horn of Africa countries on matters of security and development and jointly promote peace.

"This will help turn the horn of Africa into a region of peace, cooperation, development and prosperity," Zhou said, adding that in the latest resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the CPC resolved to heighten international cooperation, including joint security operations.