Global experts call for stronger peacekeeping, regional cooperation at Beijing Xiangshan Forum

Experts from around the globe emphasized the importance of strengthening peacekeeping missions and promoting regional cooperation under multilateral frameworks amid rising regional conflicts and global uncertainty, at the just-concluded 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which closed Friday.

The three-day event gathered over 1,800 participants, including official delegates, experts, scholars, and observers from more than 100 countries, regions, and international organizations. This year’s theme focused on "Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development."

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, stressed that UN peacekeeping missions remain a critical shield for civilians and ceasefires worldwide, with member state support playing a vital role.

"We have about 60,000 peacekeepers deployed in 11 missions and without the support of member states, there's nothing we would be able to do, actually the peacekeepers wouldn't even exist. In spite of all the challenges that we are currently facing, every single day they are protecting hundreds of thousands of civilians. And every single day they are preventing ceasefire from collapsing. They help build state capacities and in the case of Chinese peacekeepers, there are a number of things that they do which are very important," he said.

Lacroix also highlighted China's critical role in supporting UN peacekeeping missions.

"China is the second largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping support. In terms of contribution in personnel, we have about 1,800 Chinese peacekeepers from the military, from the police. We also have civilian colleagues from China. So, just to say that it is critically important that China is really one of the major supporters to UN peacekeeping," he said.

Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the bloc is preparing to strengthen cooperation with China in key sectors.

"In terms of undertaking practical areas of cooperation, like natural disasters, medicines, a wide range of issues that we would work together," he said.

Since its launch in 2006, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum has evolved into a major international platform for defense and security dialogue.

Global experts call for stronger peacekeeping, regional cooperation at Beijing Xiangshan Forum

Thailand has temporarily closed more than 1,000 schools in border areas following a new round of armed clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops along their shared border.

The Thai Ministry of Education ordered the suspension of classes on Friday in seven provinces bordering Cambodia, affecting a total of 1,060 schools, to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

Buriram Province is among the areas most affected by the renewed fighting, with more than 100 schools shut down. At local shelters, displaced residents, including children and teenagers, have sought refuge as fighting continues.

One girl said she had stayed in the shelter for 11-12 days already. "I moved here because of the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia," she said, adding that she could hear very loud gunfire at her home.

She said school won't be open until the clashes end, and she misses her classmates very much.

A teenage boy in the shelter expressed the same emotions.

"It's been 13 days since I moved here. I heard gunfires at home and I was so scared that I moved to the shelter. I want to return to school to study and see my friends," he said.

A displaced woman recalled her time in a shelter when border clashes between the two countries broke out earlier this year.

"I stayed in the shelter for a week when the last clashes broke out. This time I don't know how long I need to stay here before I can return home," she said.

Border clashes between the two sides reignited on Dec 7, less than two months after the two sides signed a joint peace declaration, with both sides trading the blame for instigating the attacks.

Thailand closes over 1,000 schools near border amid armed clashes with Cambodia