China Peacekeeping Role: Beijing remains strong supporter of UN operations in Africa

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01:58

China has been a strong supporter of the United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa. Beijing is not only the second largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping, it has approximately 25-hundred personnel deployed in ongoing missions across the globe. CGTN's Daniel Arapmoi looks at China's peacekeeping role in Africa.

Chinese armed forces including the People's Liberation Army have been increasingly supported the global norms of the United Nations peacekeeping.

China's major contributions are currently supporting missions in Africa, with approximately 1,000 troops in South Sudan, around 230 each in DR Congo and Darfur and 400 in Mali.

MWENDA MBIJIWE SECURITY ANALYST "The Chinese military has been of great support to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa especially in terms of helping in the developmental aspect of a military mission."

Beijing has also continued to strengthen peace operations and security in Africa and expanding its military cooperation across the African continent.

MWENDA MBIJIWE SECURITY ANALYST "The Chinese military has given support to them, they have run their hospitals, they have run their bridges, they are the ones treating the communities, they have brought in the professional aspect of course with their unlimited resources from their mother country China and the backup of the military so it's that one addition that our military needed in Africa."

China's move to widen its mandate in Africa highlights a shift in the country's standing on the global stage, and its apparent interest in taking on the role of a global leader.

DANIEL ARAPMOI NAIROBI "Peacekeeping contributions have steadily become an important part of China's broader foreign policy, fostering cooperation and improving bilateral and multilateral relations."

Daniel Arapmoi, CGTN, Nairobi, Kenya.