STORY: UN peacekeeping chief emphasizes China's vital role in peacekeeping efforts
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 21, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 24, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:27
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JEAN-PIERRE LACROIX, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JEAN-PIERRE LACROIX, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations
3. various of file footage of UN peacekeeping missions

STORYLINE:

The UN peacekeeping chief on Tuesday expressed appreciation for China's contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, emphasizing China's vital role in these efforts.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JEAN-PIERRE LACROIX, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations
"China is one of the most important contributors to peacekeeping, not only in terms of its contribution with troops and uniformed personnel generally, but it is also an important supporter to the various initiatives that we took to improve the impact and effectiveness of peacekeeping. And of course, it's a permanent member of the Security Council and the second-largest financial contributor. So we very much value the contribution of China to peacekeeping.
We have taken a number of initiatives to improve the safety and security of our peacekeepers or to update or improve our ability to use digital technology, and also our ability to fight misinformation and disinformation.
I believe that all these initiatives cannot be carried out without the full partnership of member states. And this is where I believe the partnership with countries like China will be tremendously important because we need the support of China politically to these initiatives. And I would just highlight, for example, the leading role that China has taken on the topic of the safety and security of the peacekeepers." 
The 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting is set to take place in Accra, Ghana, on Dec. 5 to 6. Lacroix said he looks forward to having conversation with China at the meeting. 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JEAN-PIERRE LACROIX, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations
"As I indicated, China is very important to us. It has always supported the initiatives that are taken to improve peacekeeping.
We certainly look forward to hearing from China in terms of the capacity, the contribution that it can further provide to peacekeeping in many areas. 
So, we definitely look forward to having that conversation with China at the Accra meeting."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from the UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)