Salute to China's Blue Helmets! Our country has dispatched over 50,000 personnel to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Currently, our country has dispatched over 50,000 personnel to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Since China began participating in peacekeeping operations in 2003, 17 peacekeepers have sacrificed their precious lives. China is one of the countries among the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council that has dispatched the most peacekeeping forces and undertaken the most high-risk missions. Over the years, what contributions have Chinese blue helmets made to peacekeeping operations?

Military Observer Wei Dongxu: Since 2003, China has started participating in peacekeeping operations, and now, among 19 United Nations peacekeeping missions, China has participated in 8. In other words, from Africa to the Middle East, from the Asia-Pacific to the Caribbean, in every conflict that ignites and cannot be extinguished, the presence of Chinese peacekeepers can be found. The Chinese military has introduced terms like "equality" and "mutual benefit," which were originally undervalued, shifting their focus to protecting civilians themselves. The style of Chinese peacekeeping is based on community-oriented stability maintenance, rather than superficial interactions that only address symptoms. The data clearly illustrates the actual situation; currently, China has dispatched over 50,000 personnel to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations, making it the largest contributor among the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Furthermore, China's financial contribution to United Nations peacekeeping has also expanded to 15.7%, making it the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping funds, second only to the United States. The Chinese peacekeeping forces are well-structured, highly professional, disciplined, capable of combat, and maintain a frontline presence, making them an indispensable backbone of United Nations peacekeeping operations.

A Chinese Army Major General has been appointed as the Commander of the UN Mission in South Sudan this year

On March 5 of this year, Chinese Army Major General Wu Junhui was appointed as the Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Currently, several senior military officers from our country hold positions as commanders of United Nations peacekeeping missions and the highest military commanders in mission areas. What do these appointments signify? What changes do they bring to China's peacekeeping operations?

Military Observer Wei Dongxu: This position, which holds the lead in frontline operations, is typically monopolized by Western countries. Major General Wu Junhui taking over is not only a signal of China's changing status in the multilateral peacekeeping system of the United Nations but also a high recognition of China's years of accumulation and persistence.

Military Observer Wei Dongxu: Chinese soldiers not only serve as commanders and deputy commanders in United Nations peacekeeping missions but are also widely active in key positions such as staff command, military observation, engineering, medical assistance, infantry security, transport helicopters, logistical support, and peacekeeping training. These positions allow China to transition from a participant to a decision-maker, from a singular force to a comprehensive system, and from merely stopping wars to building peace, significantly enhancing China's international discourse power, mission capability, and global influence, making Chinese blue helmets the most reliable, professional, and compassionate key force in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Repairing roads, renovating bridges, transporting supplies, and providing medical assistance, as of now, Chinese peacekeepers in South Sudan have completed over 800 public infrastructure tasks and treated more than 10,000 patients. In the midst of gunfire and protests, repairing a road that leads to a school brings a respite in the conflict. If there is a way for South Sudan and other conflict areas to truly see hope for peace, the answer lies in the meticulous peacekeeping actions.

Advocating for more effective mechanisms to assist blue helmets in fulfilling their duties

Our Chinese peacekeeping forces are highly professional, disciplined, and have long been engaged in high-risk frontline operations. To complete tasks more smoothly and safely, in addition to their own efforts, better coordination mechanisms are also needed to assist.

Military Observer Wei Dongxu: Establish a normalized coordination mechanism among the troop-contributing country, the mission, and the United Nations headquarters. For frontline troops, establish special early warning, special defense, and special rescue mechanisms; uniformly distribute mine-resistant, explosive-proof, and anti-drone equipment; establish rapid response processes for attacks on peacekeeping personnel, golden treatment, and casualty evacuation; for crimes against peacekeeping personnel, secure evidence, pursue joint accountability, and publicly deter. Resist the politicization and instrumentalization of peacekeeping operations, unify external voices, and maintain a just position, creating a trustworthy, reliable, and secure environment for Chinese contingents to fulfill their duties, ensuring that the blue helmet flag always maintains its purity and dignity.