In an announcement made by China's Premier Li Keqiang to the United Nations General Assembly, the Chinese government promised to contribute $100 million to refugees and $1 billion will be set aside for a peace and development fund.
"We are committed to shouldering our responsibilities compatible with our abilities," Li said. "We would like to provide $100 million of additional humanitarian assistance on top of the previous pledges while considering taking further supportive measures."
The premier said that the government will look into a China-U.N. Peace and Development Fund that would be available to aid nations in times of need. The fund will be built over a period of 10 years.
Aside from humanitarian aid, Li promised that China will deploy 8,000 peacekeeping troops from the country.
The increase of troops to be deployed is a significant addition to the current 3,078 troops.
David Shinn, an international affairs expert at George Washington University, said, "I don't think other countries should be concerned by these announcements by China. UN peacekeeping operations have widespread international support. There is plenty of room for everyone."
He added, "I don't believe China's actions will change the strategies of other countries in Africa. For its part, China gains in international prestige by supporting the African Union and UN peacekeeping operations. It is able to test its troops, police, and equipment in different environments."
Last year, President Xi Jinping said during the U.N. general assembly, "China will never seek hegemony, expansionism or a sphere of influence," he said.
He noted, "The vote of China in the United Nations always belongs to developing nations."
For the peace and development fund, China had already signed an agreement to pay the U.N. $20 million annually for the next decade.