Chinese UN Peacekeeping in Africa

The China in Africa Podcast

Last month, China released its first-ever white paper on its participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs) around the world. The lengthy document provided an overview of China's 30-year history in contributing to PKOs and featured some new insights on Beijing's ambitions to become an even larger player in the UN's Department of Peace Operations.

As of August, China currently 2,531 soldiers under UN command, the world's ninth largest contributor overall and largest among the five permanent members of the Security Council. Most of those blue helmeted soldiers are now working in Africa, largely in medical, engineering, logistics and various other support roles. However, in recent years, Chinese UN troops have moved to the frontlines in some active conflict zones including South Sudan, Mali and in anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia.

The new white paper and China's more robust presence in UN post-conflict stabilization efforts in Africa and elsewhere reflects the heightened importance that Beijing attaches to peacekeeping within its broader foreign policy agenda, according to Hong Kong University Assistant Professor Courtney Fung. She joins Eric & Cobus to discuss the new white paper and the future of Chinese UN peacekeeping efforts.

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