China has taken part in over 24 U.N. peace-keeping missions, including nine currently. More than 30,000 Chinese peacekeepers have served over the course of the last two-and-a-half decades, and 15 have died during the missions.

Chinese peacekeepers have built or repaired over 11,000 kilometers of road and more than 300 bridges. They’ve removed 9,400 explosive devices and helped some 149,000 patients. U.N. leaders have hailed Beijing’s peace-keeping efforts and say they look forward to further cooperation with China.

CCTV America’s Mike Walter interviewed He Wenping to discuss China’s expanding role in global peace missions. She’s an expert on relations between Africa, China and major western powers.