Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Late last month saw a deadly car bomb attack against UN peacekeepers in Mali. One Chinese peacekeeper was killed and four were injured. This attack gives new revelation to the growing risks of peacekeeping, and shows how China, committed to being a responsible major power, has been contributing to world peace and security.

After the end of the Cold War, the UN significantly expanded peacekeeping forces. There were only 16 peacekeeping operations from 1948 to 1990, but from 1990 to 1993, the number of operations totaled 15. So far, the UN has conducted 71 peacekeeping operations. A total 16 are ongoing - nine of which are in Africa - and involve more than 120,000 personnel. 

During the Cold War, most peacekeeping operations were arranged to monitor cease-fires between warring countries. But recent years have seen blue helmets in countries suffering from civil war. Peacekeeping is especially difficult under these circumstances, because unlike confrontations between nations, civil wars usually involve multiple military factions unwilling to follow the rules of engagement. It is also no surprise that such groups often do not abide by armistices or peace treaties, and tend to be even more unscrupulous when terrorism and religious extremism are involved.

The evolving complications have resulted in an increasing number of attacks against peacekeepers. According to UN statistics, a total number of 3,471 UN peacekeeping personnel were killed during operations as of May 9.

The UN mission in Mali is one of the deadliest in history. The vulnerable country is haunted by several anti-government military factions and multiple terrorist and extremist groups. Since 2013, the UN has conducted a Stabilization Mission in Mali, where so far 12,000 peacekeeping personnel have been deployed in a bid to support an interim government and carry out a transitional road map. Over the past three years, more than 90 blue helmets have died. Twelve were killed in May. Three days before the attack on Chinese peacekeepers, five peacekeepers from Togo were killed in the Mopti region of central Mali.

To participate in the stabilization mission, China deployed a squad of 170 guards to Mali at the end of 2013. Later, China augmented its peacekeeping forces in Mali by deploying engineering and medical corps, bringing the total number to more than 400. In its 20 years of peacekeeping, China has mainly deployed supporting troops. This squad of guards in Mali is charged with defending the headquarters of the East Sector of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.

Since September 2014, China ramped up its peacekeeping forces in Africa, deploying an infantry battalion of 700 to South Sudan. Equipped with advanced weaponry such as armored personnel carriers, anti-tank rockets, unmanned drones and mortars, this regiment of troops is a true combat force whose capability is no longer limited to self-defense.

Recent years have seen China ratcheting up its efforts in peacekeeping in Africa. Besides participating in the UN Interim Security Force For Abyei and the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, China has been part of seven peacekeeping missions in Africa, deploying peacekeeping forces, security groups, police and observers.

The number of Chinese peacekeepers is twice that of those deployed by the other four Security Council members combined, and three times the average number of peacekeepers deployed by all 121 nations.

China plans to increase its peacekeeping efforts in Africa. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a set of measures last year that included setting up a $1 billion fund in 10 years and a peacekeeping reserve of 8,000 people.

So far, 17 Chinese peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives during operations. But as China plays a more important role in global security issues, it will not hesitate to assume its due responsibilities in safeguarding peace and stability in Africa.

The author is an assistant research fellow from the Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn