The formation of Chinese peacekeepers to U.N. peacekeeping missions is aimed at spread the concept of peace at the upcoming V-Day military parade.
The grand military parade is scheduled to be held in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
"We are inheritors of General Yang Jingyu's spirit, which has inspired all the members of our formation to take the lead in missions," said a member of the peacekeepers formation in V-Day parade Qin Qingxin, who comes from Yang Jingyu Detachment under the 83rd Group Army.
Born in 1905, Yang Jingyu was a key founder and leader of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, a coalition of anti-Japanese guerrilla forces led by the Communist Party of China active in northeast China.
As the largest contributor of peacekeeping troops among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, China has become a critical element and key force in UN peacekeeping operations.
In recent years, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has built an 8,000-strong peacekeeping standby force and has deployed over 50,000 peacekeepers to over 20 countries and regions.
"Our revolutionary predecessors fought for our peace today with their blood and the spirit of fearing no sacrifice. We have put the concept of peacekeeping into practice through our actions and brought it to the world. This is a way to spread the hope of peace," said Luo Yao, another member of the peacekeepers formation.
Chinese peacekeepers formation aims to spread peace concept at V-Day parade
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
