China’s growing role in the UN is promoting International peace and security.

On September 17^th 2013, United Nations member States convened for the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly. Among them was China; a Charter member and one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Following its rise and influence in international political and economic affairs, China’s role has risen sharply in the United Nations and it is having a positive influence in promoting international peace and security.

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As a member of the Security Council, China has a very important role in shaping resolutions at the United Nations using its veto powers. It has only used its veto eight times in the interest of international peace and security: in 1972 to veto the admission of Bangladesh which it considered a rebellious province of Pakistan, in 1973 to veto a resolution on the ceasefire in the Yom Kippur War, in 1997 to veto ceasefire observers to Guatemala, in 1999 to veto an extension of observers to the Republic of Macedonia, in 2007 to veto criticizing Myanmar on its human rights record, in 2008 to veto sanctions against Zimbabwe, in 2011 to veto sanctions against Syria, and in February 2012 to veto for the second time a draft resolution calling for foreign military intervention in Syria.

In the recently concluded United Nations general assembly, the Syrian crisis was among the agenda of the Security Council. The Veto-wielding powers in the Security Council with the exception of China and Russia wanted a resolution that authorizes the use of military force should Syria fail to meet its obligations. However, China and Russia made it clear that they would use their veto power to prevent the adoption of such a resolution.

Just a week before the opening of the UN General Assembly, Chinese foreign Minister, Mr. Wang Yi, met with U.S secretary of State John Kerry and discussed nuclear weapons in North Korea, chemical weapons in Syria and maritime security in the South China Sea. Mr. Wang emphasized that China is committed to non-conflict confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation for everyone’s benefit.

China’s actions over time have shown that it is a country committed to international peace and security. It has consistently rejected the use of force or any military interventions and occupations of other countries. These actions are guided by principles it holds dear that espouse peaceful development and peaceful resolution of disputes.

First, in its principle of respect and equality amongst nations, China insists that nations should accommodate each other’s core interest and major concerns in a diversified manner. It proposes acknowledging that countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are equal members of the international community and on matters of international concern, dialogue and negotiation must be prioritized to ensure lasting peace, harmony and stability.

In the principle of mutual understanding and trust, China calls for understanding of every nation’s strategic intentions. It avers that greater roles played by emerging countries in regional and international affairs represent opportunities rather than threats to international security. China calls for a new way of thinking and says thatZero-sum assumption and cold war mentality in the security arena contrasts to the trend of today. China says if we ignore the facts, make assumptions or distortions on others’ strategic intentions purely based on differences in ideology and social system, we risk creating adversaries.

China has made it clear that it will unwaveringly follow the path of peaceful development. China’s fast rise in strength and influence goes hand in hand with a desire for a peaceful international environment in which China can develop itself and reciprocally help maintain and promote world peace with its own development. This path is fundamentally different from the historical path of colonial expansion that many developed countries used to develop themselves.

Maintaining world peace and advancing common development is an important mission for the Chinese military in this new era. China’s explains that participation in world security cooperation is by no means an enlargement in sphere of influence or even territorial expansion. Rather, it is for an enabling regional security environment, for interests to be shared with other nations, and for fulfillment of its due international responsibilities and humanitarian obligations.With its increased political, economic and military strength, China understands that it bears a great responsibility as an emerging power. It has shown that it is committed to its international obligations through security cooperation.

China is the largest force provider for UN peacekeeping operations among the permanent members of the Security Council, with more than 20, 0000 servicemen deployed in 20 UN peacekeeping operations. It has sent 8 task forces of 20 ships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia for escort missions. Among the 4,000 vessels they have escorted, more than 40% are foreign vessels. It is currently ranked 7^th among member states for contributing 3.93% of United Nations Peacekeeping operations budget for 2013-2015.

That China adheres to the path of peaceful development is in no doubt. China has become a player and builder of international peace and security. The times and tides of the 21^st century point to China’s new reading that seeks bonds of cooperation, peace and prosperity.