On September 1, 2023, the delegation of senior defense representatives from African countries participating in the 3rd China-Africa Peace and Security Forum visited CELAP, where they were warmly welcomed by Vice President Zheng Jinzhou. The delegation comprised 79 senior defense representatives from Africa, including Me Sidiki Kaba, the Minister of Armed Forces of Senegal, Youssoufa Mohamed Ali, the Minister of Defense of Comoros, and Sering Modou Njie, the Minister of Defense of Gambia. The visit was accompanied by Senior Colonel Liu Kai, Deputy Director of the West Asia and Africa Division, Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission, and Senior Colonel Liang Jintao, Deputy Dean of the Institute of Political Work, Academy of Military Sciences. Among the attendees of the meeting was Liu Genfa, Deputy Director General of CELAP’s Department of International Exchange and Program Development, along with other participants.

Prof. Zheng Jinzhou warmly welcomed the delegation and introduced the background of the academy’s establishment, along with its functional positions, target participants, and featured programs. He also emphasized CELAP’s commitment to the serious study and implementation of the guidelines of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Zheng highlighted the academy’s active pursuit of international exchanges, particularly with African countries, as concrete moves to support the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Prof. Zheng remarked that African countries have maintained longstanding friendly relations with China, and multiple political leaders from those countries have visited CELAP and delivered speeches. CELAP aims to enhance its international engagement by fostering cultural exchanges and strengthening connectivity with African institutions. It aspires to deepen cooperation through high-level visits, foreign-related training, and other collaborative means, injecting fresh momentum into the new era of China-Africa cooperation. Prof. Jiang Junjie and Prof. Zhou Guangfan provided an introduction to and conducted demonstrations of the themed classrooms dedicated to media communication and Pudong’s development and opening up for the delegation.

The China-Africa Peace and Security Forum was officially announced by General Secretary Xi Jinping during the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Since its establishment, this forum has played a crucial role in fostering a closer-knit community between China and Africa, and promoting peace, stability, and development in Africa and beyond.