H.E. Mr. Zhai Jun, Special Envoy of the Chinese government and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs met with H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) on June 28, 2009 at the 13th Ordinary Summit of African Union in Sirte, Libya.

Mr. Zhai Jun highly appraised the achievement made by the AUC in its efforts for maintaining peace and stability in the region and building up its institutions over the recent years. Mr. Zhai said that the Chinese Government would continuously support AU’s effort to maintain regional peace and security and decided to offer 400 000 US dollars in cash to support AU peacekeeping operation in Somalia.

Mr. Zhai also said that the relationship between China and AU was growing closer in various fields. He recalled the successful holding of the first China-AU strategic dialogue in November 2008 at Addis-Ababa and pointed out that the Chinese side attached great importance to the dialogue and cooperation with AU and wished to further promote the partnership with AU to a higher level.

Dr. Jean Ping expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for China’s assistance and cooperation and considered the relation between China and AU to be full of dynamic. The Conference Center Project of AU aided by China was progressing smoothly and well. The new donation from China to AU peacekeeping operation in Somalia showed once again the great support and concern of China to African peace and security affairs. AUC would like to make further efforts to strengthen the partnership.