China News Service:
We learn from the white paper that the Chinese armed forces completed the registration of an 8,000-strong peacekeeping standby force at the U.N. in 2017. There were comments then saying this was an attempt to present a more positive international image. Could you introduce the force's development at present? And how does China plan to use this force? Thank you.
Luo Wei:
When attending the U.N. peacekeeping summit in 2015, President Xi Jinping made a solemn pledge that China would assemble a standby force of 8,000 peacekeepers. The Chinese government and the military have resolutely implemented President Xi's decisions and plans and set high standards in planning and implementation. Based on an in-depth review of the achievements and experiences drawn from previous participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations, we enhanced communications and coordination with the U.N., scientifically planned the types and numbers of the members of China's peacekeeping standby force, and strived to develop it as suitable for U.N. peacekeeping operations. In September 2017, registration was completed with the U.N. of the standby force of 8,000 peacekeepers, which has a total of 28 units in ten categories and then conducted targeted training in accordance with the requirements and conditions required. In October 2018, 13 of these units were elevated to PCRS Level 2 after passing an assessment approved by the U.N. Later, six units were upgraded to PCRS Level 3 from Level 2 successively. Since the Chinese peacekeeping standby force was assembled, it has always taken peacekeeping capacity building as a priority in its training and development, including the study of the theories, laws and regulations of U.N. peacekeeping operations as well as improvement of professional operational capacity, emergency response and international communications capacity.
We are confident that the Chinese peacekeeping standby force will respond to the U.N. needs at any time and become a reliable, well-equipped, well-trained and disciplined professional force for U.N. peacekeeping operations. Thank you.
