Chinese soldiers hone skills on frontlines of peace
- Source: Global Times
- [21:45 May 10 2010]
- Comments
GT: What are the opinions of the host nations, the UN, and the related international organizations on China?
Zhang: China always advocates justice in international affairs and insists that peacekeeping operations must be guided by the three basic principles of consent of the parties, impartiality and no use of force except in self-defense.
China's stance is unanimously echoed by many developing countries. These countries, especially in Africa, have high expectations for China's further participation in their regional peacekeeping missions and have asked China to increase its participation in international security affairs.
For example, on March 4 this year, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia, made a special visit to the Chinese engineering and medical units in Liberia to express her appreciation for Chinese peacekeepers' contributions to the peace and development of Liberia, acclaiming them as an ambassador of friendship from the great Chinese people and the Chinese army.
Over the past 20 years, Chinese peacekeepers have successfully fulfilled various tasks assigned by the UN while strictly following the UN's mandates, and obeying command, observing discipline, and sticking to their duties.
Their outstanding professionalism, excellent performance, hard work and devotion have been widely praised by the UN, the host countries and local people.
GT: Does more participation in peacekeeping operations mean more challenges for the PLA?
Zhang: Participating in UN peacekeeping is different from the normal daily training at home. In order to fulfill various tasks assigned by the UN, the PLA soldiers must strengthen special training in accordance with the UN training standard, especially training on policy, specialized skills and logistical support.
GT: China has become the biggest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. How did that happen?
Zhang: There are two main reasons. First, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and as a peace-loving, responsible country, China is playing a more important role in international affairs and China fully supports the UN's leading role in world security issues.
Second, it is decided by Chinese military forces' historic missions in the new century, as proposed by President Hu Jintao, which explicitly demand the PLA play a crucial role in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.
As a result, China will resolutely support and actively participate in UN peacekeeping.
