Chen Weixiong, counselor of the Foreign Ministry's Department of International Organizations and Conferences, said on Monday that China will make concerted efforts with Britain to enhance peacekeeping cooperation.

Speaking at a Sino-British seminar on peacekeeping, Chen said China and Britain have worked together effectively in this area in recent years, and that it is especially important for the two countries, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, to increase coordination and cooperation in peacekeeping as well as other UN programs.

According to Chen, more than 65,000 peacekeepers from over 100 countries are now working in 16 UN peacekeeping missions.

Chen said all countries should "maintain dialogue and consultation to achieve positive results in reforms of peacekeeping actions, and should provide financial and personnel support for such actions."

During the two-day seminar, the second of its kind between China and Britain, officials from the two countries are exchanging views and sharing experiences in peacekeeping theories and actions.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2005)