China urges timely recalibration of direction of peacekeeping operations according to changing situation

The Unite Nations Security Council needs to recalibrate the direction of U.N. peacekeeping operations in a timely manner, as U.N. peacekeeping operations are at a new crossroads because of changing international and regional security landscapes, a Chinese envoy said on Monday.

Addressing a Security Council open debate on U.N. peacekeeping operations at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said that it is imperative for the Security Council to keep focusing on the new situation and challenges, and comprehensively reviewing and taking stock of the lessons learned.

Fu pointed out that peacekeeping operations are not a panacea and require basic conditions for their deployment and success, including a credible and forward-looking political process. In other words, peacekeeping operations should be where there is a peace to keep in a real sense, he said.

Fu noted that the U.N. has deployed peacekeeping operations in Haiti on several occasions, but none of them has proven effective. It is clear that Haiti, under the current circumstances, does not have the conditions for the deployment of a U.N. peacekeeping operation.

"Expecting peacekeeping operations to be a superman to stem the tide and save the day is unrealistic. Requesting peacekeeping operations to be a backup man with no regard to the specifics of a given situation is even more irresponsible," he said.

Fu underlined that the multidimensional peacekeeping operation deployed in response to internal conflicts within a country should assist but not replace the host country's own efforts, and the operation's core mandate must reflect the realities on the ground and be consistent with the priorities of the host country, not the political priorities or even "political correctness" of others.

The long-term stay of a mission is not an end in itself, and once the situation in the host country has stabilized, the Security Council should promptly formulate a clear and actionable exit strategy for the mission, so as to ensure a smooth and orderly transition of the relevant tasks to the government of the host country and other U.N. agencies, he said.

Enhancing Africa's capacity to maintain peace and stability on its own and bolstering support for regional arrangements in Africa are important directions in the U.N. peacekeeping transformation, according to Fu.

China supports the provision of adequate, predictable and sustainable financial support for African Union-led peace operations, and looks forward to the framework arrangements set out in Security Council Resolution 2719 being operationalized at an early date, he added.

China urges timely recalibration of direction of peacekeeping operations according to changing situation

China urges timely recalibration of direction of peacekeeping operations according to changing situation

China urges timely recalibration of direction of peacekeeping operations according to changing situation

China Media Group's (CMG's) Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, which is set to air on Tuesday night to celebrate the moon-themed traditional festival, will stage a warm scene of family reunion and artistic interpretation of major events of the year from the perspective of ordinary people.

The annual gala, also known as "Qiuwan" in Chinese, will spotlight key topics of interest for audiences at home and abroad, including the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China, and significant milestones such as the Chang'e-6 space missions and the Paris Olympics.

The gala was recorded in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, a 2,300-year-old city boasting three world cultural heritage sites and over 1,500 historical and cultural sites. The city is also one of the most well-known industrial cities in China.

Many performances of the gala will incorporate local elements such as Shenyang Guan's Shadow Puppetry, Errenzhuan (a blend of storytelling, singing and dancing between two performers) and 13 landmarks including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, the Liaoning Provincial Museum, the China Industrial Museum, and the Old North Market, to present the audience Shenyang's history and cultural charm, according to Yang Qifang, general planner of the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

"Many performances are on very serious topics, such as the return of People's Volunteer Army veterans and the rejuvenation of the old heavy industrial base. We will present them in a very tender way," Yang said, referring to return of remains of Chinese soldiers who fell in action in the 1950-1953 Korean War.

French pianist Richard Clayderman, Hungarian pianist Balazs Havasi and Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen will also join the grand event to share the warm and romantic moments with global audience.

In addition, full moon pictures collected through global social media will also be displayed at the gala, allowing the audience to appreciate the beauty of the moonlight from all over the world.

"The Chinese people have a deep devotion to circle. When the moon becomes a full circle, families reunite, symbolizing a perfect conclusion after a year of anticipation and waiting," Yang said.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, is a cherished occasion for family reunions in China. It falls on Tuesday this year.

CMG's 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival Gala to highlight family reunion, major events