Page 12 - The Indian EYE 091523

OPINION SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 | The Indian Eye 12

The China–Africa Peace and Security Forum:

Practical Outcomes or

Same Old Rhetoric?

The China–Africa Peace and Security Forum provides a common platform for military

officials from both sides to convene and discuss issues of mutual interest

ABHISHEK MISHRA

hina’s oversized role in sup-
porting Africa’s development
Cprimarily through massive
amounts of loans and investments
is well documented and tends to get
a lot of media attention. However,
equally important is China’s growing
appetite for playing a role in Africa’s
peace and security architecture and
in the military domain. Issues relating
to African peace and security are now
considered to be a prominent feature
of Chinese foreign policy rhetoric.
Often, China asserts that it stands
to benefit from a stable, secure, and
peaceful Africa. This would in turn
create a conducive environment that
can ensure Beijing’s continuous ac-
cess to the growing African market.

For the most part, the security
dimension of China–Africa co- In June 2022, China sponsored a Horn of Africa Peace, Good Governance and Development Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and appointed

operation involved the deploy- a ‘Special Envoy’ for the Horn of Africa region (File photo)
ment of troops for United Na-
Peace and Security Forum was held explore possible ways in which Afri- lenges and uphold international jus-
tions peacekeeping missions, from 28 August to 2 September 2023 can militaries and security architec- tice. General Li Shangfu, State Coun-
training of African military under the theme ‘Implementing the ture can align with China’s Global cilor, and Chinese Defense Minister
Security Initiative (GSI). The GSI
Global Security Initiative, Strength- during his address at the plenary ses-
and security personnel, and ening China-Africa Solidarity and was espoused by President Xi Jinping sion called African partners to work
during the Boao Forum in April 2022
counter-piracy operations. This Cooperation’ in Beijing. but formally gained traction on 21 with China to uphold a common,
Over 100 delegates, representa- February 2023 with the release of the comprehensive, cooperative, and sus-
mandate in recent years has tives, and defence officials from 50 GSI’s Concept Paper. The GSI is Chi- tainable security mindset. This is to
broadened to include aspects African countries participated in the na’s regional and global architecture be achieved by focusing on dialogue
event.
rather than confrontation, partner-
like conflict mediation, count- The China–Africa Peace and and is an effort to shape a new world ship rather than alliance, ‘win-win’
order with Chinese characteristics.
er-terrorism, policing and law Security Forum provides a common Outcomes of the Conference rather than zero-sum to inject more
platform for military officials from
certainty, peace, and positive energy
enforcement cooperation, and both sides to convene and discuss iscussions at the forum into a global order riddled with secu-
military training. issues of mutual interest. The forum echoed a similar rhetoric of rity challenges.
serves two primary goals—consol-
idate networks of strategic com- Dthe need to strengthen Chi- China continues to insist that
This is the background in which munications between Chinese and na–Africa security cooperation to certain aspects of its outreach will not
the third edition of the China–Africa African defence departments; and jointly deal with global security chal- Continued on next page... >>

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