Zwedru, Liberia, March 11, 2010 – The acting head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Mrs. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, has hailed the performance of Chinese peacekeepers in Liberia for their commitment and contribution to the peace and development of 14-year internal war-torn Liberia. Decorating more than 500 Chinese peacekeepers with the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal in city of Zwedru, she noted that the Chinese peacekeeping soldiers had distinguished themselves in bringing peace and development to local communities. H.E. Mr. ZHOU Yuxiao, Chinese Ambassador accredited to Liberia, together with his Defense Attache, Senir Colonel LIU Shengli attended the ceremony at the invitation of UNMIL.

During the program, D.SRSG Ms Bensu noted the Chinese contingent's eagerness to reach out to local communities, be it with medical outreach, logistic assistance in Montserrado County's Senatorial by-election, infrastructure building and renovation etc.. She also praised Chinese peacekeepers of high standard of discipline, with "zero-indiscipline record ever since their arrival in Liberia".

Commenting also on Chinese Government's essential role in support of UN's peacekeeping missions around world, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General noted that China supports UN not only politically, but directly participates by sending its own troops to the conflicting areas around the world. "China has become the country that sends largest number of peacekeepers amongst the five permanent members of the UN Security Council" she added. She expressed UN's appreciation towards China's positive role in supporting and participating UN's peacekeeping operations around the world and anticipated a much fruitful cooperation between China and UN.

Representing Chinese peacekeepers present, Leutenant Colonel Jia Fuxi, the chief commander of Chinese peacekeeping contingent, reiterated the Chinese peacekeeping contingent's committement in fufilling the peacepeaking duty in his remarks and extending its service also to the locals within the UN mandate. While praising the peacekeepers' devoteness, the Chinese contingent chief commander Challenged the Chinese peacekeepers present and called upon them of working tirelessly and energetically until the last moment of their mandate tenure.

Chinese Peacekeeping Contingent in Liberia consists of three branches as Logistic Transportation Team, Medical Service Team and Engineering Team.

Dignitaries present at the colourful medal-award ceremony included UNMIL Force Commander, Lt.-Gen. Sikander Afzal, local government and security officials from Grand Gedeh Countiy etc..