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Peacekeeping role marching forward

By Cui Xiaohuo (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-04 10:29

China plans to extend its peacekeeping efforts worldwide, according to a senior military official on Friday who spoke as the nation completed its first joint military peacekeeping exercise -- with neighboring Mongolia.

The six-day maneuvers in Beijing signal a ramping up of China's commitment, said Lieutenant-General Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army.

Servicemen from among the 45 from Mongolia and 46 from China take part in China's first-ever joint peacekeeping training exercise in Beijing on Friday. [China Daily]

In the last two decades, China has sent 13,000 troops, officers and observers around the world for peacekeeping missions. Both local and overseas experts said the move marked China's fulfillment of obligations commensurate with its growing importance on the world stage.

Currently, almost 2,000 Chinese soldiers are serving in 14 nations and regions around the globe, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

"Both China and Mongolia are active participants in global peacekeeping missions under the UN framework. China is also the nation that sends the largest number of peacekeeping troops under the UN framework among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council," the lieutenant general told reporters during a joint press conference with his Mongolian counterpart after the "Peacekeeping Mission 2009" training drill wrapped up in China's capital.

The six-day exercise, involving 45 soldiers from Mongolia and 46 from China, featured instruction and cultural exchanges at a training base in northern Beijing.

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"We truly respect the levels of equipment and operation skills of the Mongolian forces. The Chinese armed forces have had a good opportunity to exchange peacekeeping experience with the Mongolian side," said Ma.

Senior Colonel Zhang Ping, director of the Chinese team, said the Mongolian soldiers had great experience in close-range combat from extensive operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.

Captain Davaattseren, who led the Mongolian force, said he respects China's presence in international peacekeeping and praised China's construction and transportation work during overseas missions in less-developed regions.

Mongolia's state secretary of defense Major-General Borbattar said he hoped more drills would be held between the countries. "Soldiers and officers also have a good time to make friends with each other, and it is vital for China and Mongolia to be friends," the major general told reporters.

Major Gantumur, who has conducted missions in more than 25 countries in Asia and Africa, said such exchanges are essential for both countries to further contribute to world peace.

Both militaries agreed the drill has strengthened military mutual trust between the two neighbors as they mark the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations on Oct 16, 1949.