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China’s contribution to peacekeeping shows commitment to world peace: interview with UN Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet
China has made outstanding contributions to UN peacekeeping operations in both personnel and equipment, showcasing China’s commitment to safeguarding world peace, security and stability, UN Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet said in an interview with China Armed Forces.
In places rife with conflict, suffering people need help, especially women and children. When they see China’s contribution to peacekeeping, they feel China really cares about their hardship. China is exemplary in promoting fraternity and brotherhood, Mulet said.
Mulet was UN Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations from 2007 to 2010. He resumed the post in June 2011. When Haiti was struck by an earthquake in 2010, he worked as the UN Secretary General’s special representative and head of the UN mission to Haiti to restore stability there.
Recalling cooperation with Chinese peacekeepers in Haiti, Mulet said the Chinese police officers were prompt, efficient, competent and well-equipped.
Mulet remembers a particularly difficult time when an armed mob took control of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. Robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes were frequent. Thanks to Chinese police officers, peace and stability were restored in the city. They brought security and stability to the residents. The Haitian people would never forget the outstanding performance of Chinese peacekeepers, he said.
The United Nations has 16 peacekeeping missions. By the end of June 2015, more than 100,000 people from 122 countries had participated in UN peacekeeping operations around the world. China contributed the greatest number of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
China also contributed financially to UN peacekeeping efforts, and played a role in establishing and promoting UN peacekeeping missions. Chinese engineering, infantry and medical forces all played important roles in peacekeeping missions, Mulet said.
China had set up training centers for military and police personnel of peacekeeping missions. The centers simulate situations that might arise, providing preparedness and professionalism essential for UN peacekeepers, Mulet said.
The United Nations was established in 1945 to prevent another global conflict after the Second World War. The Charter of the United Nations set out the principles of international relations to avoid conflict and maintain peace.
China sent five military observers to the UN peacekeeping mission in the Middle East in 1990. It was the first time China joined a UN peacekeeping mission. Since then, it has sent more than 30,000 personnel to UN missions in Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Lebanon, Mali and other places.
In 2015, China first deployed infantry forces to a UN peacekeeping mission, sending troops to South Sudan. China has also decided to deploy a helicopter squad to the UN and African Union mission in Darfur. It will be the first time for the Chinese air force to join the blue helmets.
Last year marked the 25th anniversary of Chinese participation in UN peacekeeping missions. Mulet thanked Chinese peacekeepers for their contributions and called on them to keep striving for the cause of peace.
