A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Monday said the three principles of UN peacekeeping must always be upheld as fundamental guidelines.
Peacekeeping operations and special political missions are important tools for the Security Council to maintain international peace and security. As the international and regional security landscapes undergo profound changes, peacekeeping operations are facing new challenges and circumstances, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations at the UN Security Council high-level open debate on advancing adaptability in United Nations peace operations. "The three principles of peacekeeping should always be upheld as the fundamental guidelines. Consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate are derived from the UN's long-standing practice and must always be the guiding principles. Any deviation from these principles may lead to unforeseen and complex consequences contrary to the purpose of peacekeeping," he said.
Fu stressed the peacekeeping operations and special political mission should maintain constructive communication with the host country and uphold mutual trust. He said the peacekeeping operations with relevant mandates should help strengthen host country's capacity for independent development, improve governance and achieve sustainable development while respecting the host country's leadership.
Regardless of how mandates are adjusted, peacekeeping operations must be focused on the core mandate, and guard against the phenomenon where mandate renewals lead to disorderly expansion, said the Chinese envoy.
He pointed out that continued efforts must be made to improve the overall performance of peacekeeping operations and to leverage the unique role of local organizations in addressing regional issues.
China, as the second largest financial contributor and a major troop contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, has dispatched a total of over 50,000 peacekeepers to date, said Fu, adding that the country will continue to be a firm supporter of peacekeeping missions, making greater contributions to global peace.
UN peacekeeping principles must be upheld as fundamental guidelines: Chinese envoy
