BEJING, April 24 -- "Chinese military will continue to deepen and expand its participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKOs), and contribute more to the implementation of the Global Security Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang at a regular press conference on Thursday.
The spokesperson introduced that since its first deployment 35 years ago, the Chinese military has participated in 25 peacekeeping missions, and dispatched over 50,000 personnel to more than 20 countries and regions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon and South Sudan. Chinese peacekeepers completed tasks such as mine clearance and explosive ordinance disposal, medical treatment, security escorts, and protection of civilians. China's Blue Helmets have stepped forward for world peace with courage and persistence in despite of difficulties and dangers. And, 17 Chinese peacekeepers, including Liu Mingfang, Du Zhaoyu and Shen Liangliang, have made their ultimate sacrifice for the UN peacekeeping cause.
The spokesperson continued that it's the Chinese military's objective to preserve peace and protect the people. China is the largest troop contributor to UNPKOs among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping assessments. The Chinese military maintains an 8,000-strong peacekeeping standby force, which consists of 28 units in 10 categories, such as infantry, medical and rapid response units. The Chinese military has conducted exchanges and cooperation on peacekeeping with over 90 countries and 10 international and regional organizations.
"We have built 'Shared' series, an international brand of peacekeeping operations. As we speak, approximately 1,800 Chinese peacekeepers are executing tasks in the UN headquarters and seven mission areas," said the spokesperson, adding that the Chinese military will continue to deepen and expand its participation in UNPKOs, and contribute more to the implementation of the Global Security Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.