For the last 15 years, China has sent hundreds of its bravest soldiers to Liberia as part of United Nations peacekeeping efforts in the west Africa nation.
Since their arrival in 2003, Chinese peacekeepers have played a major role in helping the country recover from two brutal civil wars that have ravaged the once prosperous country.
The 5th China Formed Police Unit to United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) is the most recent group of Chinese peacekeepers assigned to Liberia. 140 elite soldiers serve in the unit. For most of them, this is their first mission abroad and they know how challenging and special it is to be handpicked for this team.
“At the beginning of forming our team, the party committee of Guangxi Border Control Corps proposed to use the power of the entire Corps and gather the wisdom of the Corps as a whole to select the first-rate team members, build a first-rate police force and do the first-rate peacekeeping in accordance with the first-class standards,” said Chen Lihua, Chief Commander of 5th China Formed Police Unit to UNMIL.
“For this goal, we highlighted the need of good political thought, excellent professional quality, excellent military qualifications and the excellent physical fitness. We use them as our selection criteria.”
Liberia has remained relatively calm since the end of the war in 2003 but everyone, including the peacekeepers, is aware that violence can flare up at anytime. One of the unit’s final patrols before heading home to China was in Bonsville Monsterado, 28 miles outside Monrovia, Liberia’s capital.
Patrolling takes up much of the peacekeeping unit’s time but on this particular patrol, things were peaceful.
Yin Peng is the unit’s section political instructor.
“Our UMNMIL mandate is to demonstrate the forces presence and collect the information. We start with the traffic condition. We also care for our contingents’ safety. At the moment this area is safe, but we patrol in case people gather for political protests.”
The lead vehicle has toughest job.
In addition to keeping an eye out for criminal activity, members on that vehicle must lead the rest of the unit across bad roads and dangerous bridges.
“Our cars maybe in good condition but safety are not guaranteed. Long range patrols are especially difficult,” said platoon commander Qu Zedong.
The armed patrols cover the entire territory of Liberia and patrol nearly 110,000 kilometres of security patrols. Under the UNMIL’s mandate, the Chinese peacekeepers trained a 150-member Formed Police Unit that was built up by the Liberia National Police. They have led joint demonstrations with the Liberian National Police and Nigeria FPU in the mission area. The peacekeepers have earned the praise of UNMIL and the Liberian government and won the honour of “National Outstanding Contribution Award” by Liberia.
The 5th China Formed Police Unit to UNMIL is the final Chinese peackeeping unit that will be deployed in Liberia. During their time in Africa, the soldiers have faced and overcome many challenges – including driving on dangerous roads and coping with Ebola and malaria outbreaks. Along the way many say they have developed an appreciation and respect for the people they serve.
For many Liberians, the feeling is more than mutual.
“I am shocked the Chinese Peacekeepers are soon leaving,” said local resident Jonathan Hinga. ”
“We see them patrol at night and feel safe. We will miss them”
