The Chinese government Thursday donated 200,000 U.S. dollars to the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Peace Fund to support the peace efforts of the OAU and the Joint Military Commission (JMC) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
At the hand-over ceremony in Addis Ababa, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Ai Ping expressed the hope that this donation, which is a reflection of goodwill and sincerity of the Chinese government and people towards the OAU and the Africa, will contribute to the ongoing peace efforts by the OAU and the JMC in the DRC.
"The Chinese people will never forget the precious support rendered to China by the African people on various international occasions," added the envoy.
He also expressed his appreciation for the pivotal role the OAU and the JMC are playing in the search for a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in the DRC.
Said Djinnit, assistant secretary-general of the OAU, said that the Chinese government's move is yet another demonstration of the close relationship that exists between the OAU and China.
The JMC, which is decision-making body created by the Lusaka ceasefire agreement, is composed of two representatives from each of the DRC parties to the agreement under a neutral chairman appointed by the OAU in consultation with the parties.
( People's Daily 11/02/2001)
