CCTV News: On the afternoon of April 24, the Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference, and Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, answered questions from reporters.

Reporter: This year marks the 35th anniversary of the participation of the Chinese military in the United Nations peacekeeping operation. The Chinese military dispatched military observers for the first time in April 1990, and has now become a key force in the United Nations peacekeeping operation. A spokesperson was asked to introduce the participation of the Chinese military in UN peacekeeping operations.

Question: This year marks the 35th year of the Chinese military’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations (UNPKOs). Since the Chinese military dispatched military observers for the first time to UNPKOs in April 1990, it has now become a major troop contributor. Could you provide an overview of the Chinese military’s participation in UNPKOs?

Zhang Xiaogang: In the past 35 years since the Chinese military participated in the UN peacekeeping operations, it has carried out 25 peacekeeping operations, sent more than 50,000 peacekeeping officers and soldiers to more than 20 countries and regions including the Congo (Dragon), Lebanon, and South Sudan to complete tasks such as mine removal, medical treatment, vigilance and protection of civilians. China's "Blue Helmet" is not afraid of hardships and bravely moving forward, and set out for world peace. 17 officers and soldiers including Liu Mingfang, Du Zhaoyu, Shen Liangliang have dedicated their passionate youth and precious lives to the cause of UN peacekeeping.

Zhang Xiaogang: Since our first deployment 35 years ago, the Chinese military has participated in 25 peacekeeping missions, and dispatched over 50,000 personnel to more than 20 countries and regions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon and South Sudan. Chinese peacekeepers completed tasks such as mine clearance and explosive ordinance disposal, medical treatment, security escorts, and protection of civilians. China’s Blue Helmets have stepped forward for world peace with courage and persistence in despite of difficulties and dangers. 17 Chinese service members, including Liu Mingfang, Du Zhaoyu and Shen Liangliang, have made the ultimate sacrifice for the UN peacekeeping cause.

Preserve peace and protect the people. China is the largest peacekeeping mission country in the permanent member of the UN Security Council and the second largest peacekeeping contribution country in the UN. It maintains a normal 8,000 peacekeeping standby force, covering 28 teams in 10 categories, including infantry, medical care, and express rebellion. It organizes peacekeeping exchanges and cooperation with more than 90 countries and more than 10 international and regional organizations to create an international brand of "common" peacekeeping operations. There are nearly 1,800 Chinese peacekeeping officers and soldiers perform tasks in seven mission areas of the United Nations and the United Nations headquarters. The Chinese military will continue to increase the depth and breadth of participating in UN peacekeeping operations, and contribute more to the active implementation of global security initiatives and the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

It’s our objective to preserve peace and protect the people. China is the largest troop contributor to UNPKOs among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping assessments. We maintain an 8,000-strong peacekeeping standby force, which consists of 28 units in 10 categories, such as infantry, medical and rapid response units. The Chinese military has conducted exchanges and cooperation on peacekeeping with over 90 countries and 10 international and regional organizations. We have built “Shared” series, an international brand of peacekeeping operations. As we speak, approximately 1800 Chinese peacekeepers are executing tasks in the UN headquarters and seven mission areas. The Chinese military will continue to deepen and expand our participation in UNPKOs, and contribute more to the implementation of the Global Security Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.