PENSIVE: Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan shares his thoughts on international affairs (WANG XIANG)

"We often forget that there's more that unites us than divides us because we have a tendency to focus on the negative, to focus on what divides us rather than what unites us," said former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, currently the chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation, in an exclusive interview with Beijing Review on April 21 in Beijing.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of UN's establishment. China, which holds a seat on the UN Security Council, has played a significant role in global affairs since the UN's establishment, said Annan.

"[China] has a responsibility to make this world a better and a safer place, and I think it is beginning to do that, whether in Africa [or elsewhere], and now we see with these investments in Asia and the creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). All these are positive contributions," Annan said.

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of China sending troops to UN peacekeeping operations. According to the Ministry of National Defense, over 30,000 Chinese peacekeepers have served overseas, with 10 of them giving their lives for the cause. Chinese peacekeepers have built or repaired over 11,000 km of road and more than 300 bridges. They have removed 9,400 mines or unexploded devices, and received 149,000 patients.

"I had the chance to work with some of [China's] troops who were [taking part] in UN peacekeeping operations, and I visited the police training center here [Beijing] where they were preparing to participate in peacekeeping operations. [The missions they participated in] are quite varied. They made a good contribution, and I hope the participation will continue. They are making a good contribution, and they are needed."

In the past years, the Chinese presence in African countries has encompassed a wide range of activities like agricultural cooperation, building hospitals, contributing to UN peacekeeping missions, and sending supplies and doctors to Ebola-stricken countries.

"Chinese engagement with Africa has been positive, Africa has had benefits and I think that these sorts of encounters must always be mutually beneficial. If it is not mutually beneficial, it will not last, it will not be sustainable. So the emphasis should be on [being] mutually beneficial," Annan said. 

"It was wonderful that they were there when Ebola struck. It's wonderful that they are playing an important part in peacekeeping in Africa at a time when most of the developed countries have stopped sending troops to Africa. I think this is very positive, and I applaud this evolution of China's international cooperation."

Annan's visit to China began April 20 and will last until April 24, marking the second time Annan visited China since he retired from the UN at the end of 2006. He is attending a launching ceremony of two books on his past speeches and memories on April 22.