CRI听力:25th Anni. of Participation in U.N. Peacekeeping Missions

A team of 700 Chinese soldiers from an infantry battalion has been sent to South Sudan, representing the latest deployment. The final 130 members of that group arrived days ago aboard a UN chartered flight.

China's peacekeeping missions started back in 1990 when it sent five military observers to the truce supervision organization in the Middle East.

Now the country is the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Li Xiuhua is the deputy director of the U.N. Peacekeeping Mission Office under China's Ministry of National Defense.

"By the end of 2015, the number of Chinese peacekeepers will increase from the current 2,700 to 3,100. Among the 121 countries contributing to U. N. peacekeeping operations, China will move up to 7th place from 11th. Among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, China has contributed the largest number of peacekeeping forces."

Over the past 25 years, China has sent non-combat units including engineering, transportation, medical and security to help with construction, logistics, relief and medical work.

Currently, over 2,600 soldiers are providing support services in nine regions and 83 serve as military observers monitoring ceasefires in both the Middle East and Africa.

Li Xiuhua says the soldiers have been following the principle of respecting local customs during the missions.

"Over the past 25 years, Chinese peacekeepers have followed the U.N.'s code of conduct and local laws. They have kept the record of zero discipline violation and zero repatriation. In Africa, the Chinese officers have won a good reputation among local residents. "

The latest 700-member peacekeeping forces in South Sudan will focus on protecting civilians as well as UN personnel and facilities.

They will also help with humanitarian relief and security works.