Multinational peacekeeping exercises begin

In addition, the PLA is seeking to take advantage of the occasion to demonstrate and test the capability of its standby peacekeeping force, the statement noted.

Commanding officers from the four countries have established a joint command and will follow the UN's standard peacekeeping procedures and engagement rules. Troops will practice field reconnaissance, patrols, armed escorts, the protection of civilians, suppression of terrorists, construction of temporary infrastructure and medical aid, as well as handling outbreaks of infectious disease.

According to the Chinese headquarters, the exercise will involve infantry soldiers, aviation squads, engineers, and transport and medical personnel, and will make use of armored assault vehicles, helicopters and unmanned aircraft. The PLA will provide all the hardware involved.

China plays an active role in international peacekeeping missions. Over the past three decades, its military has sent more than 40,000 peacekeepers on 25 missions around the world, making China the largest contributor of troops among the permanent members of the UN Security Council.