The mainland is sending four police officers to bolster its peacekeeping force in Haiti, where a devastating earthquake claimed eight of their colleagues last week.
The magnitude-7 earthquake was responsible for the greatest single loss of life in the history of mainland involvement in UN peacekeeping missions, but observers say it also provides Beijing with a prime opportunity to burnish its image as a responsible world power.
They said United Nations peacekeeping missions would provide a useful stage for a central government that was eager to expand its international clout but cautious about provoking 'China threat' complaints.
The deployment of the four police officers will take the number of Chinese peacekeepers in Haiti to 121.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said yesterday that Beijing would consider sending more peacekeepers. 'The UN has passed a resolution to increase peacekeeping deployment to Haiti, but negotiation and discussion are needed to execute the resolution,' he said.
The mainland has sent a 60-strong rescue team to Haiti and its state-controlled Red Cross has pledged to donate US$1 million in cash. Ma said Beijing would continue to provide relief and reconstruction assistance.
The announcement of the new deployment came a day after the eight peacekeepers who died in Haiti were given a high-profile funeral in Beijing, with most central government leaders paying their respects at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery.