UN peacekeeping operations must follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic principles governing such operations, a Chinese envoy said Wednesday. 

Speaking at a Security Council debate on the police components of UN peacekeeping, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the world body, stressed that peacekeeping policing must at all times be guided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic principles for peacekeeping operations, namely consent of the parties concerned, impartiality, non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate. 

The Security Council, he said, must fully respect the sovereignty and aspirations of the host countries, and heed their views and those of police-contributing countries.

The council should define clear and explicit mandates that fit the situation on the ground, leverage the advantages of peacekeeping police officers in maintaining social order of the host countries and in creating a sound environment for development, he said. 

Long-term investment in political dialogue and economic development must be made to ensure lasting peace, said Zhang. 

He also called for efforts to boost the capacity of peacekeeping police officers and the efficiency in carrying out their duties, and better safety and security guarantees for peacekeeping police officers.

(Cover: Patrolling the border with Israel, in the village of Khiam, Lebanon, September 2, 2019. /VCG Photo)