China Filling Void Left by West in UN Peacekeeping

Joining the UN in 1971, modern China did not become active in peacekeeping efforts until after the conclusion of the Cold War. But as a rising economic power, China increasingly contributes to more UN peacekeeping efforts, particularly in Africa, a center for Chinese trade deals and foreign investment. The Chinese ambassador to the UN took the lead in criticizing major powers during summer 2006 for neglecting violence in Somalia and also persuaded the Sudanese government to allow an expanded UN presence in Darfur. Struggling to control Iraq, the US and the UK question whether foreign troops in such African trouble spots will add to the chaos. Using military troops to secure peace is hardly an exact science, and decisions to send or withhold such troops can reveal political and economic ambitions. – YaleGlobal