UN lauds China's contribution to peacekeeping efforts
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A senior UN official said Thursday that the world body will "continue and grow cooperation" with China in the area of peacekeeping.
"We are extremely pleased with China's participation in the UN peacekeeping operation," UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy told Xinhua at a reception held at the residence of Chinese Mission to the United Nations.
The event was to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), which falls on Aug. 1. It also marked the 20 years of China's participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
Chinese peacekeepers have demonstrated "a great degree of professionalism, discipline and dedication," Le Roy said, adding that he was deeply impressed by their "fantastic job" in many UN bases.
"It is our task to make sure that Chinese representation is adequate and at high-level both in the UN headquarters and in the field, "said the UN under-secretary-general.
China is now a major troop contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, and has the largest number of UN peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Over the past 20 years, China has participated in 18 UN peacekeeping operations, and dispatched a total of 15,000 peacekeepers, among them nine lost their lives in the line of duty.
At present, around 2,000 Chinese officers and soldiers are involved in nine of the 15 UN peacekeeping operations.
Le Roy said he expects more cooperation with China in the future.
"We are glad to know that China will continuously and steadily increase its participation in UN peacekeeping, and we are eager to continue and grow our cooperation with China," he said.
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