The men and women of The 5th China Formed Police Unit to United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) make up the youngest team of peacekeepers that China has ever sent to the country.
The average age of a peacekeeper is only 28. Most of them were not even born when the conflict that ravaged Liberia broke out. Yet they’ve proven themselves more than equal to the challenges.
At just 21-years-old, Section Four Soldier Liu Dongqi is the youngest member of the unit. A determined young man, Liu says he feels he has a lot to prove to older members and works very hard to make sure he doesn’t drag down the rest of the team.
“I work hard to make up for my lack of experience compared to them. Everyone sets high standards. No matter in what age, either 30s or 40s, I want to do the right and meaningful things and have a clear purpose. I want my parents to be proud of their son.”
That sense of pride, honor and commitment is shared throughout the unit.
Ye Sheng is just one year older than Liu. Ye is part of a platoon that keeps all the vehicles running smoothly.
“Every day I have only one purpose, to make sure vehicles drive out and drive back safely, and if there is any problem then I must fix it in time,” says Ye. “And wherever the local people saw us, I always feel proud to hear they say ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Chinese.”
Each team member was handpicked and went through vigorous training before they came out to Liberia a year ago.
Wang Ronghua, for example, is an expert marksman who can bring down a target more than a kilometer away.
The sharp shooting soldier, who joined the police at the age of 18, says he’s a natural with a rifle. It was that natural ability that helped Wang gain entrance into China’s top armed police training college and eventually led him to what he says is his mission his life – protecting his fellow comrades while helping keep the peace in Liberia.
“It is part of my life, perhaps even more important than my life. We are inseparable especially in peacekeeping missions.”
For Wang, Ye, Liu and the rest of this youngest group of Chinese peacekeepers, the mission is complete. The team came out here a year ago as youngsters – well trained but largely untested. Now they go home as veterans – who’ve made their mark, and a little bit of history.
