CHINA’S PARTICIPATION IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

Abstract

2020 marks the 30th anniversary of China’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations. China’s participation in it is gaining weight in China’s diplomatic and military strategy. China is currently the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping after the United States. The reasons for the rapid development that China’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations has gained in a short period of time are of particular interest to study. The purpose of the research is to examine China’s participation in UN peacekeeping. The study highlights the main stages of China’s attitude to UN peacekeeping and its participation in peacekeeping operations, identifies the motives and reasons for China’s participation in peacekeeping operations, as well as the unique features of Chinese peacekeeping. Results. China’s motivations for becoming a peacekeeper consist of “soft” reputational and “hard” national interests. Support for international peacekeeping under the auspices of the UN provides an opportunity to maintain China’s image as a responsible power interested in creating a stable environment for peaceful development. China encourages the use of political and diplomatic means to resolve conflicts and adheres to the principle of national sovereignty. China’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations is a manifestation of China’s active multilateral diplomacy and a kind of “creative intervention”.