Being an instrument to help conflict-torn nations transition to lasting peace, more than 1 million men and women have served under the UN flag in more than 70 UN peacekeeping operations since the first mission in the Middle East in May 1948.

 

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with conflict by peaceful means,” as former US president Ronald Reagan once said, a statement that is relevant this year as the UN celebrates its 70th anniversary of peacekeeping.

 

Today, according to the UN, more than 100,000 military, police and civilian personnel from 125 countries are serving in 14 peacekeeping operations worldwide, from militia infested deserts in South Sudan to fields of land mines near Lebanon.

 

“The UN peacekeeping operation is an effective measure in promoting multilateralism and collective security, and has played a major role in easing regional tensions and conflicts,” said Major General Yang Chaoying, the acting force commander at the UN mission in South Sudan, where more than 1,000 Chinese blue helmets are serving.

 

South Sudan has more Chinese peacekeepers than any other mission area, Yang said. But the harsh and dangerous environment has helped shape Chinese peacekeepers’ skills, characters and “impeccable discipline,” he said.

 

“Those who have participated in the peacekeeping missions are more patriotic and cherish China’s hard-earned peace and prosperity even more,” Yang said. “Chinese blue helmets also get to learn and interact with peacekeepers from other countries, thus allowing us to expand our horizon, build friendship and showcase Chinese peacekeepers’ image.”

 

China will continue to shoulder its duty as a responsible big nation and has carried out “sacred missions” given by the UN to protect civilians, supervise human rights, provide humanitarian aid and create favorable conditions for lasting peace, Yang said.

 

Since 1990, China has sent more than 35,000 troops, experts and police to 24 missions. As of April, China has 2,500 peacekeepers in operations, providing more personnel than the four other permanent members of the UN Security Council combined.