China stands ready to contribute more to United Nations peacekeeping operations, Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
Zhang made the remarks when asked about "Blue Helmets, No Borders", a recently released documentary about China's long-term involvement in UN peacekeeping operations.
The Chinese military fights for peace and safeguards peace, and has become a key contributor to UN peacekeeping forces, Zhang noted.
Over the past 35 years, Chinese blue helmets have dedicated their youth and passion to the lofty cause of safeguarding world peace, traveling thousands of miles, working in extremely dangerous places, and igniting the light of hope, Zhang said.
With professionalism, resilience, dedication and sacrifice, they have demonstrated the responsibility of a major country, and won extensive recognition from the international community, he said.
"The Chinese military will continue to expand its participation in UN peacekeeping with greater input and dedication. We will deepen our cooperation with all parties in technology, training, equipment and personnel, optimize the composition and capabilities of China's Peacekeeping Standby Force, and incorporate new-domain and new-quality forces with UN peacekeeping operations, contributing situational awareness, high-tech ordinance disposal and counter-drone operations, bringing more Chinese strength to building a community with a shared future for humanity," Zhang said.
China is the second-largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and provides more peacekeepers than any other permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Since its initial participation in UN peacekeeping with five military observers in 1990, China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeepers to more than 20 countries and regions, undertaking 26 UN missions.
More than 1,800 Chinese military personnel are currently carrying out missions across seven UN peacekeeping mission areas and at UN Headquarters. In addition, the Chinese military maintains a standby peacekeeping force of 8,000 personnel, comprising infantry, engineers, medical and transport units.
The documentary "Blue Helmets, No Borders", produced by China Global Television Network (CGTN), takes viewers from Lebanon to South Sudan, gaining rare access to UN peace missions on some of the world's toughest frontlines.
China ready to contribute more to UN peacekeeping operations: spokesman
China ready to contribute more to UN peacekeeping operations: spokesman
