By Mao Liyan and Gong Qifang
BEIJING, June 9 -- The closing ceremony of the 16th seminar for senior military officers from Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries hosted by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense was held in the International College of Defense Studies of the PLA National Defense University on June 7. Fifty-four senior military and police officers and defense officials from 25 countries attended the 15-day seminar.
With the theme of Friendly Cooperation for a Shared Future, the seminar organized a variety of activities in the forms of lecture, workshop, field trip, etc. All participants had in-depth discussions and exchanges on the risks and challenges to global and regional security, security perspectives and policies of China and LAC countries.
During the seminar, the participants were invited to visit the PLA's army, navy, air force, armed police forces and military academies to learn about the development of the Chinese military.
Uruguayan Gral. Aire Rodolfo Daniel Pereyra Martinez
"At the PLA Air Force Engineering University, we saw the capabilities of the Chinese air force and the development of Chinese aviation technology. In the future, we can share knowledge and cooperate in this area to make greater contributions to our respective countries," said Uruguayan Gral. Aire Rodolfo Daniel Pereyra Martinez.
The seminar aimed to deepen mutual understanding and trust between the Chinese military and the LAC militaries, promote the continuous development of China-LAC defense and security cooperation, and help promote the construction of the China-LAC community with a shared future.
Cuban Gral. Div. Eugenio Armando Rabilero Aguilera
"This seminar enhanced our understanding of each others, and gave me the opportunity to know about the development and changes of China, and the deep friendship between China and LAC countries," Cuban Gral. Div. Eugenio Armando Rabilero Aguilera said in an interview after the closing ceremony.
On his trip to China, Venezuelan Mayor Gral. Ricardo Nicodemo Ramos wore a lapel pin of the China-Venezuela friendship. "I brought this pin from Venezuela. It represents a belief that it is necessary to deepen the brotherhood between China and Venezuela. We should stand together and strengthen cooperation to deal with all kinds of difficulties," he said.
Venezuelan Mayor Gral. Ricardo Nicodemo Ramos
In recent years, China and LAC countries have achieved mutual benefits and win-win results, setting an example of cooperation among developing countries. Their practical cooperation in the field of defense and security has continued to deepen, which has added positive energy to the maintenance of world peace and development.