The fourth China-Africa Peace and Security Forum was held in Beijing, China, as an integral part of the 13th Xiangshan Forum and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. Held from Sept. 15–17, military representatives and defense officials from the African Union and 41 African nations participated.

The event demonstrated the new level of cooperation reached in strategic interests shared between China and Africa. The tremendous increase in China’s economic engagement with Africa since the initiation of the Belt and Road Initiative has broadened China’s strategic cooperation in Africa.

In addressing the conference, Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong called for deepening strategic coordination and developing mechanisms for defense exchange and maritime security, based on equality and mutual benefit, without political dictates or conditions between China and African countries.