Xi Jinping's efforts to transform China's image into that of a major world power must include an attempt to address the Taiwan issue before the end of his time in power, says Jin Canrong, head of the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China in Beijing.
In a media interview on Tuesday, Jin said Xi's announcement at the UN General Assembly in New York that China will create an 8,000-strong peacekeeping standby force is an "aggressive signal" that he wants China to develop the image of a major world leader like the United States.
Of the the five permanent members of the Security Council, China already provides more personnel to UN peacekeeping missions, but most of those deployed are responsible for logistics and healthcare. Last year was the first time China began sending peacekeeping troops and the decision to send 8,000 more soldiers is significant, Jin said. This number is roughly equal to two brigades or a division, enough to attack a small African nation, indicating that Xi is taking the initiative to achieve Beijing's diplomatic ambitions, Jin added.
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