First rotation of Chinese peacekeeping force in Congo　　

　　
High-spirited soldiers on the departure ceremony (By Wang Jianmin, Xinhua News Agency)

　　Yesterday, the second batch of the Chinese peacekeeping force left Beijing for Congo (Kinshasa) by air to replace the first batch of the Chinese peacekeeping force.

　　With approval of the State Council and the Central Military Commission, China sent its first batch of peacekeeping force to Congo to carry out the UN peacekeeping mission in April. In the past 8 months, they have brought into full play the unusual making of the Chinese servicemen in enduring hardships and in fighting, and have successfully accomplished all missions assigned by the United Nations. According to the stipulations of the UN, China decides to send another peacekeeping force of the same size to replace the first batch of force.

　　According to the sources, the engineer company and medical team for the second batch peacekeeping force are set out respectively by a field engineer brigade under the General Staff Headquarters of the PLA and the No.202 Hospital of the Shenyang Military Area Command. They have already gone through the trainings related to the engineering and medical care missions, and have possessed the ability to carry out peacekeeping missions. At the sending-off ceremony, the reporter saw soldiers of the peacekeeping force wearing blue berets and green camouflage uniforms, displaying the fine image of a strong, civilized and peace-loving force of the Chinese army.

　　At 21:00, officers and men of the second batch of the Chinese peacekeeping force aboard the plane that was bound for Congo (Kinshasa).

　　By Zhang Yanzhong and Tian Yuan

　　(December 4, PLA Daily)

The first rotation of China's peacekeeping force in Congo (Kinshasa) is to take place. On December 3, 2003, officers and men swore solemnly on the departure ceremony. (By Wang Jianmin, Xinhua News Agency)