China, Africa should join hands to ensure peace, achieve common aspirations of development: Chinese Envoy

China and Africa should join hands in order to ensure peace and achieve common aspirations of development and prosperity for all the peoples across the world, said Kuang Weilin, Chinese Ambassador to the African Union (AU).

The Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University on Tuesday jointly organized a seminar on the premises of the Embassy in Addis Ababa, capital of the East African nation, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

Under the theme, "To remember history, to look to the future," the seminar covered topics including among others, contribution of China and Africa to the World Anti-Fascist War, and reflections on the impact of World War II and the international order.

Speaking on the occasion, Kuang said tremendous changes have taken place in human society and in the world as a whole over the past 70 years.

China and Africa have emerged as two important forces on the international arena, said the ambassador.

He underlined that China and Africa should join hands to undertake the historical mission to build a harmonious world order of enduring peace and common prosperity.

"We must defend the fruit of the victory of the World Anti- Fascist War and safeguard the world peace. We have to maintain postwar world order, based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and with the UN at its core," he said.

He also emphasized the need for China and Africa to make greater efforts to promote world and regional peace and stability.

Stating that China has been working with the international community for resolution of global issues, the ambassador said his country consistently stands for peaceful settlement of international disputes through dialogue.

He also said China would continue to support Africa's development endeavor, and that to enhance the cooperation with African countries under the framework of Post-2015 Development Goals.

Professor Habtamu Wondimu, IPSS Representative, said the workshop was jointly organized by IPSS and Embassy of China to reflect on the ramifications of the end of the Second World War on the decolonization of the African continent and explore it implications for peace and stability both past and present.

Reiterating that this year marks the 70th anniversary of victory of the Anti-Fascist War, La Yifan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, told reporters that the event is a very good opportunity to look back into the history and looking forward. Endi