A 286-member medical and transport team of Chinese peacekeeping troops arrived in Beijing Friday after wrapping up their mission in Liberia in western Africa.

The other 272 people of China's first group of peace-keeping troops, the largest ever sent abroad by the Chinese government, are scheduled to come back in early January next year.

Each of the 558 peace-makers has been awarded a medal by the United Nations in praise of their outstanding performance in helping Liberia's post-war reconstruction.

Statistics from China's Ministry of National Defense show that between December 2003 and April 2004, the troops' construction squad repaired roads of 1,200 kilometers long, built four camps for local armed personnel and two parking aprons, erected 21 bridges, revamped two water disposal stations and leveled off land of 70,000 square meters.

Its medical squad treated 2,300 outpatients, hospitalized approximately 250 people and operated on more than 50. Meanwhile, its transportation squad reportedly transported more than 30,000 tons of logistic materials and 70,000 people.

On Wednesday, the second such group composed of 284 officers and soldiers in total left Beijing for Liberia on a peacekeeping mission.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2004)