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Chinese peacekeepers win applause from foreign journalists
The Chinese peacekeepers ready to leave for the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) won applause as they met foreign journalists from
44 news organizations across the globe on February 11, 2003.
"Every member of the peacekeepers looks vigorous, healthy and strong.
Is each of them chosen from more than 10 or 100 candidates?" an NHK
reporter asked.
Huang Wenfeng, a captain of the peacekeeping force, replied: "The
answer is both 'yes' and 'no'. By saying 'yes', I mean that every
one is outstanding as the criterion for the selection of the force
is strict: each one should not only have a high moral standard but
also is good at his work. But they are just ordinary soldiers in the
army, representing the combat power of the army and reflecting the
development level of the army."
Zoranna, a journalist from the Delo Newspaper of Slovenia, is curious
about Chinese soldiers, as this was the first time for her to enter
a Chinese military camp. She asked Song Wei, a junior officer of the
peacekeeping force: "As an ordinary soldier, do you know anything
about your mission?"
Song answered: "Maintaining peace and benefiting the people are
the tasks of Chinese servicepersons. Although the country we are going
to is still strange to us, we will use what we have learnt in the
camp to benefit the people there and display the image of Chinese
servicepersons."
When talking about the mission of the peacekeeping force, Li Jun,
political instructor of the force, said: "Helping the parties of the
conflict maintain peace, restore peace and achieve peace in the end
are the ultimate desire of the Chinese peacekeepers. In addition,
through the UN peacekeeping operations, we can display the Chinese
people's love for peace, reflect China's peaceful diplomatic policy
and enhance military exchanges with other countries."
Hearing this, Zoranna said: "Look, they look young, confident and
their words reveal their aspiration for peace. I want to present them
an olive branch."
Rich knowledge and good command of English
The Chinese peacekeepers' rich knowledge on the history, culture
and customs of the DRC, as well as on international law and other
related laws won acclaim from the journalists.
"The DRC and China enjoy a traditional friendship. The Chinese
built a stadium for the DRC and taught them agricultural technologies
and skills," said Chen Liyun, a junior officer. "The current DRC
President Joseph Kabila and his father, former President Laurent
Kabila both studied in China," he added.
Li Feng, interpreter of the peacekeepers, said that: "Calling Africans
'Negro' or 'Black' is a taboo. We'd better call their nationality
as they have a strong sense of state."
The inspectors should respect the customs of the local people, Li
add. "People in certain regions deem it a hoodoo to be pointed to
by a camera. So if a visitor wants to take photos for them, they had
better get their approval first, " Li said.
The peacekeepers also had a good command of English, thanks to their
unremitting efforts. When inspecting the troops, a UN official said
that: "Chinese peacekeepers' English level is the highest among all
the non-English-speaking peacekeepers."
Well-prepared troops
The DRC is a far-flung country for the Chinese peacekeepers forces
consisting of a 175-member engineering company and a 43-member medical
team, but they have already got themselves prepared to confront all
the challenges and difficulties lying ahead.
Yuan Chunguo, chief of the engineering company, said the company
was well organized, had undergone rigorous training and had the best
domestic-made equipment, so they were confident that they could fulfill
the peacekeeping mission.
The instability brought about by years of war, together with the
epidemic, poses great dangers to the troops. But they are not worried
at all.
Zhang Jindong, a captain of the troops, said that they have been
well prepared in every aspect, including logistics, health care and
sanitation, for all these challenges.
He told the reporters that ever since the founding of the troops
on December 23, 2002, the peacekeepers had attended several courses
of lectures on the prevention and cure of epidemic, taken part in
a series of trainings on how to rescue themselves and their common
soldiers in case they were wounded. Besides, all the peacekeepers
run at least 5,000 meters every day to keep fit, Zhang added.
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