China trains over 1,600 peacekeepers from 70 countries

The Peacekeeping Affairs Center of China's Defense Ministry has conducted 25 international training programs since 2015, training more than 1,600 peacekeepers from over 70 countries, a ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

Zhang Xiaogang, the spokesman, announced the figures at a news conference in Beijing. He said the training programs have focused on civilian protection as well as instruction for senior peacekeeping officials, military professionals, trainers, and female peacekeepers.

In addition to the training courses, Zhang said the center has sent several groups of peacekeeping experts overseas to deliver lectures.

Most recently, the center organized two international training courses: the United Nations Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Course and the UN Female Military Officers Course. The programs were jointly held with military academies and trained nearly 40 peacekeeping professionals from 13 countries, Zhang said.

China plans to host three more international training courses this year, focusing on peacekeeping intelligence, civilian protection, and drone technology.

"The Chinese military will continue to uphold the principles of shared resources and win-win cooperation, actively assist other troop-contributing countries in enhancing their peacekeeping capabilities, and make due contributions to the UN peacekeeping cause," Zhang said.