Military representatives and defence officials from the African Union and 41 African nations participated. This expansion of bilateral military relations between Beijing and African countries comes at a time when Beijing and Washington are vying for influence on the African continent, while African nations seek to diversify their partners and strengthen their security capabilities, particularly in regions facing escalating threats, such as the Horn of Africa. The fourth China-Africa Peace and Security Forum, held in Beijing, represents a pivotal milestone reflecting the growing military and defence cooperation between China and 41 African countries, along with the African Union, as Beijing seeks to solidify its security presence on the African continent. The most prominent theme of the forum and defence cooperation was the speech by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, who 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.
This reflects the growing African interest in partnership with China, driven by a desire to diversify military options and avoid the pressures and conditions associated with other powers. The China-Africa Peace and Security Forum witnessed the signing of bilateral memoranda of understanding to enhance military capabilities, training, and the exchange of expertise between China and some participating countries, such as Mauritania.
