Herve Ladsous , UN under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, was at a reception held by China's permanent mission to the UN to mark the 89th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on July 27, 2016. (Xinhua Photo)

On Sept. 21, a team of Chinese police officers officially passed the UN selection process to serve as the first standby Formed Police Unit (FPU) in the organization's history.

In an effort to follow through on President Xi Jinping’s pledge to establish a standby peacekeeping force of 8,000 troops for the UN in September 2015, the FPU was arranged by the Ministry of Public Security to improve the UN’s rapid deployment abilities. The unit consists of two anti-riot squads. There are a total of 160 members, among whom 50 have previously been stationed in countries including Haiti and Liberia for peacekeeping missions, Beijing Youth Daily reported.

“All the members have to go through three rounds of selection. Though various positions may have different requirements, we all have to master English, as the peacekeeping missions have a high standard for language proficiency,” said Lü Yanchen, a 27-year-old border solider from southwestern China’s Yunnan province.

“China has set a high standard for its peacekeeping FPU. During the past few days [of the selection process], I have noticed that the team is professional, and many of its members have rich experience in peacekeeping. They are fully prepared, and can be sent for missions swiftly once there is need,” said Ata Yenigun, chief of the UN Police Selection and Recruitment Section, in an interview with Beijing Youth Daily.

On average, China contributes more troops to UN peacekeeping missions than any other permanent member of the UN Security Council.