China peacekeeping exhibition launched at UN headquarters

China first sent peacekeepers to carry out UN operations in 1990.

Geneva: An exhibition on China’s peacekeeping input was launched Monday evening at the UN headquarters.

With the theme “CPLA (Chinese People’s Liberation Army): A Force for World Peace,” the exhibition displays four sections of pictures, featuring Chinese military’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions, securing maritime passages, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, as well as exchanges and co-operation.

At the ceremony to launch the show, Ma Zhaoxu, China’s permanent representative to the UN, said that China has become the largest contributor of peacekeepers among

the five permanent members of the Security Council.

China first sent peacekeepers to carry out UN operations in 1990, said Mr Ma, adding that over the past three decades, China has sent over 39,000 peacekeepers to UN missions around the world.

Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Atul Khare hailed China’s role in UN peacekeeping, saying that China is the 10th largest contributor of uniformed personnel and the second largest financial contributor to peacekeeping budget.

Last December, China’s share of the UN peacekeeping budget was raised from 10.24 per cent to 15.22 per cent, making it the second largest contributor only after the United States. “China continues to be recognised as an essential partner across the spectrum of UN peacekeeping,” Mr Khare said, adding that the nation “currently deploys a total of 2 508 uniformed personnel, including 70 women, to eight of the UN’s current peacekeeping missions.”

Over the past three decades, China has sent over 39,000 peacekeepers to UN missions around the world.