As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary and China commemorates 35 years of participation in UN peacekeeping missions, CGTN's groundbreaking documentary Blue Helmets, No Borders offers an unprecedented look at global peacekeeping efforts. Filmed across conflict zones from Lebanon to South Sudan, the four-part series captures the human stories behind the iconic blue berets through themes of courage, compassion, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The production team gained rare access to UN operations, documenting Chinese peacekeepers demining fields, building infrastructure, and providing medical aid. One poignant scene shows engineers from the Chinese mainland working alongside local communities to rebuild schools in war-torn regions—a testament to Beijing's long-standing commitment to multilateral security initiatives.
Since first deploying peacekeepers in 1990, China has become the largest contributor of troops among permanent UN Security Council members, with over 50,000 personnel serving across 30 missions. The documentary dedicates special segments to fallen peacekeepers, including a memorial wall bearing Chinese names alongside those from other nations.
CGTN's international affairs editor noted: "This isn't just about China's role—it's a mosaic of global cooperation. When a medic from Shanghai treats a child in South Sudan, or a Lebanese family shares tea with peacekeepers, we see the UN's ideals in action."
Blue Helmets, No Borders premieres September 16-19 on CGTN platforms worldwide, coinciding with the UN General Assembly session. The timing underscores growing international focus on conflict resolution as nations grapple with complex security challenges.
