Beijing was buzzing this Wednesday as Chinese troops with UN peacekeeping experience marched through Tian’anmen Square for the first time at the V-Day parade. Under the new Peacekeeping Force Formation, these peacekeepers—part of a 35-year legacy of more than 50,000 deployed to 20+ countries—stole the show! 🌍✌️
During the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewed the troops on Chang’an Avenue and delivered a powerful message: “Today, humanity again has to choose between peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, win-win cooperation and zero-sum game.”
Eyes on Peace: China has become the largest troop contributor and the second-largest financial backer among UN Security Council members. In 2024, its assessed contribution—18.69% of the total—outpaced the combined shares of the UK, France and Russia. UN Peace Operations’ Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix praised China’s “significant, constructive and helpful” role ahead of International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
A Proven Path: Since 1949, the Chinese mainland has kept its record spotless—never provoking war, never occupying another country’s land, and never launching a proxy conflict. It’s the only major nuclear-armed nation to enshrine peaceful development in its Constitution and to pledge no first use of nuclear weapons. Talk about peace vibes! ✌️🚀
At the climax, servicemen and women chanted in unison: “Justice will prevail! Peace will prevail! The people will prevail!” Three helicopters soared overhead, trailing banners with the same rallying cry. More than 20 foreign leaders, from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kim Jong Un, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, witnessed the spectacle.
President Xi capped off the event by calling on all nations to eliminate the roots of conflict, treat each other as equals, and build a community with a shared future for humanity. “History cautions us that humanity rises and falls together,” he reminded the world.
Reference(s):
Choosing peace: China's V-Day message to the world is loud and clear
cgtn.com
