China offers Guinea military equipments worth 3 mln USD

China on Wednesday offered Guinea military equipments and materials worth over 3 million U.S. dollars, according to officials.

The military equipments and materials were comprised of tents, helmets, bullet proof jackets, computers and photocopying machines that were meant to improve operation conditions for the Guinean military.

In February, following a terrorist attack against the Guinean contingent under the UN mission in Mali that left seven Guinean soldiers dead, Guinea President Alpha Conde appealed to the international community to reinforce the capacity of his country's soldiers deployed to Mali.

Chinese ambassador to Guinea Bian Jianqiang said his country had responded to the appeal made by Conde.

"I hope this aid will help the Guinean battalion to maintain peace and overcome the challenges in order to achieve its peacekeeping mission in Mali," the Chinese ambassador to Guinea said.

The Chinese diplomat recalled that his country was the first to offer material and financial assistance to Guinea following the declaration of Ebola outbreak in 2014.

"Chinese government places a lot of importance to friendly and cooperation relations with Guinea," Bian said, adding that his country will continue supporting Guinea's post-Ebola economic development.

Speaking on behalf of the Guinean government, National Defense Minister Mohamed Diane thanked the Chinese government for its immediate reaction and China's promptness to Guinea's appeals.

He reaffirmed Guinea's commitment to reinforce military cooperation with the Chinese government in the interest of both countries. Endit