On May 11, Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, had a video conversation with Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. Mr. Lacroix appreciated China's firm support to the United Nations peacekeeping operations, and introduced the background and consideration of the 2020/20201 peacekeeping budget proposal and the impacts of COVID-19 on peacekeeping operations.

Ambassador Zhang reiterated that China is an active participant in and an important contributor to the UN peacekeeping operations. Although facing tremendous economic and fiscal pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic, China has managed to make full payment to the UN regular budget and peacekeeping budget, demonstrating staunch support to the UN. He assured the USG that China will actively and constructively participate in the second part of the resumed session of the Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly. He also expressed the hope that the Secretariat should implement comprehensive budget performance management, strengthen budget discipline, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the financial resources. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, he highlighted that the Secretariat should take necessary measures to study the situation ans strengthen the response to ensure the safety, security and health of all peacekeepers and fulfill its mandates to create a better future shared by all mankind.