China will convene an unprecedented conference on international peacekeeping in Beijing today, in a sign it is seeking to shape the future of an area in which it plays a rapidly growing role.

The ministry of national defence has invited Alain Le Roy, United Nations undersecretary-general for peacekeeping operations, military officials and defence attachés from many countries and representatives of the Red Cross, for four days of discussions on how the UN peacekeeping system should be reformed.

Beijing's step follows an appeal by the UN secretariat earlier this year to redefine the scope of peacekeeping operations, which have increased fivefold and grown in complexity over the past decade, and to seek a new dialogue with contributors of troops and funds.