| With the continuous enhancement of political and economic strength,China has shouldered more and more international responsibilities.As one of main contributors to UN peacekeeping operations,China has dispatched over 36,000 peacekeepers on 24 UN peacekeeping missions to date.The building of Chinese peacekeeping force also reflects our great determination to help maintain world peace.In peacekeeping missions,the soldiers or officers are expected to communicate and collaborate with people of different culture backgrounds,which highlights the importance of peacekeepers’ cross-cultural competence(3C).However,due to the difficulties of data collection,relevant research on this topic is quite rare.This thesis focuses on the assessment of cross-cultural competence of Chinses peacekeeping troops and tries to answer the following two main questions after a comprehensive analysis of research background,significance and feasibility: a.What is the current level of Chinese peacekeeping troops’ cross-cultural competence? b.Does the cross-cultural competence correlate with the foreign language proficiency in the peacekeeping context? If it does,what is the correlation?To answer these questions,the study first analyzes the overall situation of the past studies at home and abroad by using knowledge mapping software Cite Space 5.2.The most cited and most relevant works are extracted based on databases China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)and Web of Science(WOS)respectively.After that,the thesis discusses the definition,components,and assessments of 3C.Through analysis and synthesis of the Byram’s model and Abbe et al.’s model,the researcher constructs a conceptual framework which is appropriate for Chinese peacekeepers’ 3C.This framework is a goal-oriented framework based on the consideration of fulfilling basic peacekeeping assignments and building international image of PLA in overseas missions.It totally includes 4 modules(Knowledge,Attitudes,Skills,and Awareness)and 11 specific factors.At the implementation stage,the qualitative and quantitative determination methods are used for analysis.Firstly,the study designs a questionnaire and interview syllabus according to the conceptual framework.Through pretest,item analysis,validity test and reliability test,the study verifies the reliability and validity of this questionnaire.Afterward,the questionnaires are handed out in a Chinese Contingent in X1 UN peacekeeping mission area.A total of 160 questionnaires are issued and 121 valid copies are recovered.Then a series of statistical analysis such as Correlation,F-test,Variance Analysis are employed in these data.Next,for a better understanding of cross-cultural competence of Chinese peacekeepers who have different positions,the study conducts indepth interviews with 10 Observers and Staff Officers from 4 different UN mission areas.The interview adopts a semi-structured method.Each interview lasts 60 to 120 minutes.The case-study method is used in results analysis.The major findings are as follows:1.The 3C of Chinese peacekeepers on average is at such a level that can only meet the basic requirements of the daily operations.The individual differences,however,are significant.There is still a long way to go to build good international image of People’s Liberation Army To be more specific,the officers and soldiers have the best attitudes and the weakest awareness.The descending order of the components of 3C assessment in Contingents is Attitudes,Skills,Knowledge,and Awareness.The good attitudes are mainly reflected by curiosity,openness,empathy and strong willingness to learn different things.Analysis of Skills module shows that this group has some basic communication capability and is able to use knowledge,attitudes,and skills in communication and interaction.Analysis of knowledge module shows that they are good at general knowledge of interpersonal communication and social communication but weak at specific knowledge,i.e.,knowledge of local history,culture,foreign region,religion,etiquette,etc.Cross-cultural awareness is the weakest aspect,which is mainly reflected by the insensitivity to the differences of military management culture and military command system.According to the analysis based on demographic characteristics,the Contingents’ personnel who have higher English level will have better 3C.However,the difference gradually disappears when English level exceed CET-4 level.The personnel who have college education experience has better 3C than those who have not.The officers are significantly better than soldiers.As far as Military Observers and Staff Officers are concerned,their overall awareness is relatively strong,especially in the aspect of cross-cultural sensitivity.They are sensitive to the different culture,and can make some adjustments according to culture environment’s changing.However,there is still a need to strengthen their cross-cultural sensitivity to military management culture and office culture.Because of the different individual experience and different positions,the individual differences are distinct.These differences are mainly shown in specific cultural knowledge,such as etiquette in major social situations,or religion-related knowledge.2.The Contingents’ English level on average is low and some of them cannot even meet the basic requirements from their tasks.Language proficiency and 3C shows a significant positive correlation in this community.The Military Observers and Staff Officers have good language proficiency,but no obvious positive correlation is observed in them.Based on the overall characteristics of the two groups,this study finds that there is a positive correlation between LP and 3C when the LP is low.However,when one’s LP reaches a certain high level,this correlation gradually become weak.Based on the above findings and the actual situation of our army,we propose following measures in the light of the different characteristics of the Contingents,Military Observers and Staff Officers.The Contingents should improve the selecting standards gradually and give priority to persons who have high English level,better educational background and previous experience in overseas assignments.The training should focus on language-related subjects and be graded for different trainees.Military Observers and Staff Officers need to gradually incorporate subjects and contents related to military terminology,international official writing,religious taboos and etiquette in the current training program.Moreover,they should go to the relevant forces for an internship after their assignment is clear.This process can help them get professional knowledge related to their positions.As far as the whole peacekeeping troops are concerned,it is needed to carry out cross-cultural awareness education consciously and conduct some relevant simulation exercises.This study provides first-hand information on the status quo of Chinese peacekeepers’ 3C.Through the discussion of research questions,this study also provides some insights into the relationship between LP and 3C.Based on the findings of this study,a few tentative suggestions for peacekeeping forces are put forward.It is hoped that the 3C of Chinese peacekeeping troops will improve continuously and be a better reflection of the international image of People’s Liberation Army. |
