BEIJING, June 16  -- China's Defense Ministry and Department of Peacekeeping Operations of the United Nations on Monday started a 12-day training session for peacekeepers from 18 countries.

The 33 trainees include 10 Chinese, and officers from India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, and other Asian countries.

One of the seven trainers is a medical expert from the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The training session is held once or twice a year at major peacekeeping facilities around the world, using the latest training criteria and modules.

In the past four years, China has held three sessions with the United Nations.

An unidentified official from the peacekeeping office of the Defense Ministry said that China has established a fairly complete training system for peacekeepers.