UN peacekeeping principles must be upheld as fundamental guidelines: Chinese envoy

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

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted 51-50 to effectively block a bipartisan resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump's authority to use military force in Venezuela, after two GOP senators flipped under intense pressure from the White House.

After senators Josh Hawley and Todd Young reversed their position and left the chamber deadlocked 50-50, U.S. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote on a procedural motion, derailing the measure that would have required the president to obtain congressional approval before taking further military action in the oil-rich South American nation.

The resolution was introduced in the wake of a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. Senate on January 8 voted 52 to 47 to advance the war powers resolution.

Trump had publicly criticized the five Republicans who joined all Democrats to back the bill, saying they "should never be elected to office again."

The president also called each of the five senators to vent his frustration over their votes, said a report from The Hill.

U.S. Senate blocks bid to curb presidential war powers on Venezuela