BEIJING -- China's police forces have sent over 2,600 peacekeeping officers on United Nations peacekeeping missions over the past 20 years, a police spokesperson said on Thursday.

Ministry of Public Security spokesperson Li Guozhong said at a press conference that Chinese police officers have worked in nine UN peacekeeping mission areas and UN headquarters, and eight died during the missions.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still more than 30 Chinese peacekeeping police working on relevant missions including those in South Sudan, Cyprus and Sudan's Darfur, Li said.

China has also provided training programs for 1,000 peacekeeping police officers from foreign countries, according to Li.

Last year marked the 20th year since China's police forces first participated in UN peacekeeping operations.