UN Mission honors Chinese peacekeepers in Liberia

The fourth contingent of Chinese peacekeepers in Liberia Wednesday were honored and presented with service medals by the United Nations Mission in the country for their services.

During the ceremony, a Chinese senior diplomat said, "China attaches great importance to the noble mission of the UN in maintaining world peace and promoting common development and is willing to participate actively in the peacekeeping operation of the UN".

China contributed up to 600 troops to the UN Mission in 2003 following the end of 14 yeas of civil war in Liberia.

The UN Security Council had authorized the deployment of 15,000- strong multinational peacekeeping troops which subsequently assisted the Liberian government to reestablish authority and hold national elections in 2005.

The Chinese contingent has been ferrying logistics for the Mission's operation and has played an important role during the disarmament of more than 100,000 ex-combatants.

It also has a medical unit to provide health care to UN personnel and local people, and an engineering unit assisting to build roads and bridges in the West African country.

Source: Xinhua