China has sent nearly 6,000 peacekeepers on UN's peacekeeping missions over the years, contributing not only to the maintenance of order in regions of conflict, but also to the reconstruction of damaged areas.

 

In Liberia, Chinese peacekeepers are on their fourth tour. A 275-strong team departed Beijing on Monday aboard a UN chartered plane. All 558 members of the team will arrive in Liberia by December 28.

 

The team is responsible for building roads, bridges and shelters, fixing houses and airports, constructing water and power supply facilities, and providing medical services to people during their eight-month mission.

 

So far, China has dispatched 2,243 peacekeepers to Liberia.

 

Since 1990, Chinese peacekeepers have taken part in 16 UN missions. Today, 1,487 Chinese peacekeepers are serving in nine regions, said an official with the peacekeeping affairs office under the Ministry of Defense.

 

"China is playing a bigger role in the UN's peacekeeping missions and its influence is growing," said the official.

 

In May, a 435-member Chinese peacekeeping team was dispatched to southern Sudan for a 6.5-year mission. This is the longest peacekeeping mission that China has even taken on.

 

The first task for the Chinese after their arrival was to build a three-kilometer-long road from the airport to the camp.

 

Putting up with a surface temperature of more than 50 degrees Celsius, the team completed the road in only three days, winning applause from the project inspector, a Sudanese army major.

 

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chinese peacekeepers give physical checkups to local children, and distribute food and medicine to residents. They also take care of an orphan who lost his parents in tribal conflicts.

 

"Nowadays, many Congolese people can say simple Chinese like 'nihao' (hello) or 'Zhong Guo hao' (hello China)", said Wang Dongsheng, an officer in the Chinese peacekeeping team.

 

The third team to go to Liberia built and maintained 400 kilometers of road, transported 50,000 tons of materials to battlefields and treated 4,000 patients.

 

A UN representative in Liberia praised Chinese peacekeepers for carrying out the UN mission to a high standard and with strict discipline.

 

In south Lebanon, Chinese peacekeepers have cleared more than 4,000 landmines and explosives. The 182-member team won an award from the UN on October 1.

 

"Chinese peacekeepers have shown the world the image of a big, responsible country, which loves peace and actively takes part in UN affairs," said the Chinese defense official.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2006)