Ambassador Xue Jinwei spoke at the 85th anniversary of China’s army in Yaounde on July 31.
Relations between the Cameroonian and Chinese military have been growing over the years with over 500 Cameroonian officers so far trained in China and another batch due to leave in September.
Speaking in Yaounde on July 31 at a reception to mark the 85th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army, the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon, Xue Jinwei noted that without peace, nothing can be achieved. He recalled the several exchange visits between the two countries like that of the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o to China in 2011 and this year.
Saying he was quite satisfied with his stay of duty in the country which he described as “very rich,” Ambassador Jinwei recalled the State visit to China of President Paul Biya in July 2011 that resulted in the signing of several agreements. These include funding for the construction of the Kribi Deep Seaport, Memve’ele and Lom Pangar hydroelectric dams, Douala-Yaounde expressway, 1,500 low-cost housing units in Yaounde, Douala, Limbe and Bafoussam and technical colleges.
Talking about the People’s Liberation Army of China, the Ambassador said it has played a major role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, stability, security, contributing to development as well as assisting in relief efforts. He announced China’s readiness to continue to assist Africa maintain peace by supporting the creation of the African Standing Force.
There are currently over 1,500 Chinese peacekeepers working in six UN peacekeeping operations in Africa. These include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, South Sudan, Sudan, Western Sahara and Côte d’Ivoire. Chinese troops also escort ships off the coast of East Africa to guard against pirate attacks.
Government was represented at the reception by the Vice Prime Minister, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Amadou Ali.
