In the dusty hills of southern Lebanon, Chinese Major Du Zhaoyu became known for an unexpected trait during his 2006 UN peacekeeping mission – an unwavering smile that lit up tense checkpoints and comforted local communities. His colleague Maji Monzer recalls how Du's optimism persisted even as cross-border tensions simmered, calling it "a beacon of hope in uniform."
Du and three fellow peacekeepers lost their lives in July 2006 during shelling while protecting civilians, leaving behind a legacy now being honored in the documentary Blue Helmets, No Borders. The film, premiering September 16 on CGTN, showcases rarely seen footage of multinational peacekeeping operations and personal accounts from those who served alongside Du.
Their sacrifice occurred during a critical period of Middle East instability, highlighting the risks faced by over 2,000 Chinese peacekeepers deployed worldwide since 1990. Analysts note such stories humanize complex geopolitical conflicts while underscoring China's growing role in global security initiatives.
