Foreign and Military Affairs

UK-China cooperation in peacekeeping urged

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-16 09:40

LANGFANG, Hebei - British Foreign Secretary David Miliband called for the UK and China to cooperate more on UN peacekeeping missions on Monday during his visit to a Chinese peacekeeper training center.

"Our two countries, as two permanent members of the UN security council have profound responsibilities around the world. There are fewer greater responsibilities than peacekeeping," Miliband said when addressing to Chinese peacekeepers.

Miliband made the remarks at the Langfang-based China Police Peacekeeping Training Center, 50 km from Beijing, during which he hailed China's contribution to the peacekeeping missions.

Chinese peacekeepers were working in some of the most difficult places and were known for their professionalism, bravery and cooperative spirit, said Miliband.

China had more "peacekeepers as measured by the number in active operations than any other member of the UN security council."

He said he was delighted the contribution of the British government helped the Chinese peacekeepers make a difference in their missions.

"For example, multi-national missions depend on effective communication, so I believe the investment in English training in the center will pay rich dividends," said Miliband.

The UK has been supporting China in sending personnel to UN missions since 2007 through the Peacekeeping English Project (PEP), the overall aim of which is "to reduce, resolve and prevent conflict worldwide through improved English language communication."

Miliband highlighted the fact that Chinese, UK and African peacekeepers were learning together in Ghana, which he described as "the kind of practical cooperation" that defied skeptics who would say those countries could not work together.

Stressing there would be no good governance, development and protection of human rights without security, Miliband said UK was committed to working with China in peacekeeping, not only out of duty, but because the two sides believed it was "the right thing."

China has sent almost 600 peacekeepers to UN missions, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, East Timor and Sudan.

Britain has donated course materials, communication equipment and built a Self-Access Center for English Language Learning to the training center.