China-Africa Peace and Security Forum: African military officials visit PLA Naval Medical University

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A number of military officials from Africa were in Shanghai on Friday for a special visit. It's part of a forum that aims to enhance peace and security cooperation between China and Africa.

Military officials from African nations paid a visit to the Naval Medical University of the People's Liberation Army in Shanghai on Friday. The special trip is part of the first China-Africa Peace and Security Forum.

LIU JUN, PRESIDENT PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY NAVAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY "Our school has frequent exchanges with African nations. Over 500 medical students from 16 African countries have graduated from here. We have also organized various training courses for different levels of medical workers from Africa."

Over the past decade, China has played an active role in helping maintain peace and security in Africa. The visiting officials said they were willing to continue working with China to safeguard peace and stability on the African continent and the rest of the world.

DOMINIC BINGAB ADUNA NITIWUL DEFENSE MINISTER, GHANA "I think China has a big role to play, not a small role, a big role to play in managing the safety of the water around Africa, and I think China should take up that role. The western countries, a lot of countries are trying to put together to play a role, China should come in a big way, a very big way to play the role with African countries."

PATRICK JEAN-BAPTISTE AHO CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF, BENIN "This cooperation, we decide together, China and Africa, to work together, to build peace, and to have a good security in this area, in Africa, in the world. I think alone we cannot do it."

China's hospital ship – known as the Peace Ark – set sail for Africa in 2017 and provided free medical services in seven African countries. The mission was highly praised by local residents.

RENE NGANONGO NAVAL CHIEF OF STAFF, REPUBLIC OF CONGO "It is our mutual interest to understand each other, because it provides opportunities to build trust, and also to bring countries together, to fight together all illicit traffics in the Gulf of Guinea. So relationship between China and Africa, and most of our countries around the Gulf of Guinea, is very very welcomed."

Before the trip to Shanghai, the visiting African officials have discussed further cooperation with their Chinese counterparts in Beijing during the week-long forum. Lin Nan, CGTN, Shanghai.