464 Chinese peacekeepers in Lebanon awarded UN medals of peace

A total of 464 members of the 24th Chinese peacekeeping contingent to Lebanon were decorated with UN medals of peace on Tuesday in recognition of their steadfast commitment to upholding stability in the country's troubled south. The United Nations Medal is an international decoration conferred on members of national contingents for service in joint UN military and police operations, from peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts to disaster relief, with its reverse bearing the legend "In the Service of Peace."

The honors were bestowed at a medal parade held at the Chinese peacekeepers' camp in Hanniyah village in southern Lebanon, in tribute to the contingent serving as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

During the ceremony, the commander and the head of the peacekeeping force of UNIFIL reviewed the Chinese troops and presented medals to the peacekeepers.

"At the forefront of conflict, every mission is accompanied by unknown risks. This honor has not come easily. I am excited, but also overwhelmed by a heavy sense of awe. I am well aware that behind this glory lies the unwavering commitment day after day," said Cheng Yuda, member of the 24th Chinese peacekeeping contingent.

The 24th contingent, which includes a multi-functional engineer detachment, a construction engineer detachment and a medical detachment, has been serving the UN mission since December 2025.

Since large-scale conflict erupted along the Lebanon-Israel border in early March this year, Chinese peacekeeping contingent has remained steadfast at their posts, carrying out tasks such as the detection and clearance of unexploded ordnance, road obstacle removal and emergency medical support.

They have also constructed more than 40 defensive projects, shoring up the defensive capabilities of UNIFIL's camp areas.

Beyond their core duties, the peacekeepers have also actively engaged in humanitarian assistance, donating more than 7,000 items and conducting over 30 exchanges and visits with local organizations.

Their engagement builds on a Chinese presence in Lebanon stretching back nearly two decades, with more than 8,800 peacekeepers having served there since 2006.

UNIFIL was first established in 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. After the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, UNIFIL's mandate was expanded by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to monitor the cessation of hostilities and to accompany the deployment of Lebanese armed forces throughout southern Lebanon as Israel withdrew its troops.

In August 2025, the Security Council extended UNIFIL's mandate for the final time until Dec. 31, 2026, with a drawdown and withdrawal to follow within one year.

464 Chinese peacekeepers in Lebanon awarded UN medals of peace

The European Commission on Wednesday presented accession roadmaps for Ukraine and three other leading European Union (EU) membership candidates, urging Kyiv to accelerate reforms to meet its goal of concluding negotiations by the end of 2028.

Adopting its annual enlargement package, the EU executive outlined milestones for Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine, while stressing that progress toward membership depends on reforms.

The report showed that Montenegro has made progress in its judicial reform, the rule of law and institutional adjustments. It is expected to conclude EU accession negotiations in the foreseeable future.

However, concluding the negotiations would not mean immediate accession. The accession treaty would still need to be ratified through relevant procedures in both EU member states and the candidate country, so the final timeline remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the commission believed that the ongoing conflicts with Russia has given Ukraine’s accession to the EU more significant political and security implications. It has recognized Ukraine’s progress in public administration, economic competitiveness and energy, while noting that the country still needs to accelerate judicial reform, strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms, and uphold the rule of law.

Th goal is to close accession negotiations by the end of 2028. However, that does not mean Ukraine will join the EU by then.

EU sets out accession roadmaps, urges Ukraine to accelerate reforms