5th team of Chinese peacekeepers leave Beijing for Haiti

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-12-2007 14:01

A 95-member force of Chinese peacekeepers has left Beijing for Haiti. The riot police are expected to complete an eight-month mission in the crisis-ridden country. They will join another 30-member team which left about two weeks ago.

Proudly displaying their riot police standard, these soldiers are taking on a tough mission.

With an average age of 28, they represent China's growing role in UN peacekeeping duties.

Hu Haijiang, Chinese peacekeeper, said, "I volunteered to be a UN peacekeeper. I regard this as a honor. My family supports me."

In the next eight months, Hu and his fellow soldiers will play the role as civil police in Haiti and support local police in any unrest or violence.

During the past three years, every team of Chinese peacekeepers sent to Haiti has been granted UN peace medals, the highest UN official recognition.

Hu Haijiang said, "The 5th batch has received tougher training and has more diversified skills. We are confident of accomplishing the task successfully."

Peacekeeping battlefield is not the sole privilege of men. This team also includes seven women.

Zhang Wei, Chinese peacekeeper, said, "If we can't take the hardship, we wouldn't choose to go to Haiti. We've received the same training as the men. We've never been given special treatment."

Since 2000, China has sent nearly 900 peacekeeping police officers to seven mission areas, including Liberia, Kosovo, Haiti and Sudan.

Editor:Du Xiaodan