China supports UN peacekeeping operations reform: FM

China on Thursday reiterated its support for UN peacekeeping operations reform guided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the remarks at a routine press briefing.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang speaks at a routine press briefing on September 21, 2017. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed an initiative to reform peacekeeping operations, such as recognizing the primacy of politics, properly equipping peace operations, and better embodying UN values in peace operations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated on China's position at the Security Council high-level debate on the reform of UN peacekeeping, Lu said.

"China has always been a staunch supporter of and an active participant in UN peacekeeping missions," Lu cited Wang Yi as saying.

"We support the UN to make reasonable and necessary reform on the basis of broad consensus of its members," he added.

China is also a major troops contributor and the second-largest contributor of funds, Wang Yi said at the debate.

Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced a series of initiatives at a summit for the 70th anniversary of the UN in 2015, including building a standby peacekeeping force of 8,000 troops and providing 100 million U.S. dollars in military aid to the African Union, Lu said.

The Chinese government will continue to support UN peacekeeping operations to contribute to international peace and security, the spokesperson said.