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

A total of 12 Palestinians, including nine women and three children, returned to the war-torn Gaza Strip from Egypt on Monday, the first day of the official reopening of the Rafah crossing, said a statement released by the Ministry of Interior and National Security in Gaza on Tuesday.

All the 12 people received medical assistance and completed the necessary entry procedures, the statement said.

Located at Gaza's southern border with Egypt, the Rafah crossing had been largely closed since May 2024, when Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing. Prior to its closure, Rafah had served as Gaza's main gateway to the outside world and a key entry point for international humanitarian aid.

The crossing began a trial operation on February 1 and was officially reopened on February 2, allowing limited two-way access of people under restricted conditions.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) issued a statement on Tuesday, condemning Israel's detention and harsh screening of Palestinian returnees at the Rafah crossing.

Hamas said the measures went beyond normal security checks and were intended to intimidate civilians and prevent them from returning home.

Hamas called on Israel to comply with the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by fully and unrestrictedly reopening the Rafah crossing and ensuring the safety and freedom of access of people.

12 Palestinians return to Gaza on first day of Rafah crossing reopening