UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- UN peacekeeping operations must follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic principles governing such operations, a Chinese envoy said Wednesday.

Speaking at a Security Council debate on the police components of UN peacekeeping, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the world body, stressed that peacekeeping policing must at all times be guided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic principles for peacekeeping operations, namely consent of the parties concerned, impartiality, non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate.

The Security Council, he said, must fully respect the sovereignty and aspirations of the host countries, and heed their views and those of police-contributing countries.

The council should define clear and explicit mandates that fit the situation on the ground, leverage the advantages of peacekeeping police officers in maintaining social order of the host countries and in creating a sound environment for development, he said.

Long-term investment in political dialogue and economic development must be made to ensure lasting peace, said Zhang.

He also asked for efforts to boost the capacity of peacekeeping policing and its efficiency.

Increasing capacity building of police-contributing countries is the utmost priority at the current stage. The international community must continue to lend strong support to ensure that peacekeeping police officers receive adequate and targeted training and possess the necessary equipment and other resources, he said.

Police-contributing countries must strictly follow the selection criteria for personnel and equipment, enhance management and keep improving the efficiency, credibility, and effectiveness of UN peacekeeping policing, said the Chinese envoy.

China is actively delivering on its commitments in this regard by establishing the world's first-ever standby police contingent for peacekeeping, and by training over 800 police officers from other countries for UN peacekeeping, said Zhang.

He asked for better safety and security guarantees for peacekeeping police officers. Human life is priceless. Peacekeeping police officers work at the forefront, and their safety and security has a bearing on the effectiveness and credibility of peacekeeping operations, he said.

The Security Council must take stronger action to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers, including peacekeeping police officers, and speak with one strong voice in this regard, he said.

The UN Secretariat and UN peacekeeping missions must give high priority to the protection of peacekeeping police officers and provide strong support. Preventive measures, as well as security and medical supplies, must be in place. Early warning and response capabilities in dealing with emergencies must be improved, he said.

China supports the idea of properly increasing the ratio of women peacekeeping police officers. While efforts are being made in this regard, it is important to take targeted protection measures, including careful pre-deployment security risk assessments so as to ensure the safety and security of women peacekeeping police officers, said Zhang.

Since 2000, China has sent more than 2,600 peacekeeping police officers to nine mission areas. China will continue to support UN peacekeeping efforts and to contribute even more to peacekeeping policing, he said.