Chinese peacekeepers complete boundary markers set-up in Lebanon

Chinese peacekeepers erect boundary markers along the Blue Line in Lebanon on March 28. (Photo by Hua Xun)

BEIRUT, May 2 (ChinaMil) -- "Chinese soldiers are amazing, and their professionalism and professional level are very admirable," officials from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) spoke highly of the 15th Chinese peacekeeping multifunctional engineer detachment to Lebanon.

Recently, the detachment successfully completed boundary markers set-up mission at two points along the Blue Line that separates Lebanon with Israel. The Blue Line is sensitive and is filled with minefields and featured with poor environmental conditions.

The boundary marker is known as the "Bucket of Peace". It consists of a concrete base with a diameter of two meters and a height of two meters and a blue bucket marked with "UN" and latitude and longitude coordinates. It is of great significance to maintain peace and stability in southern Lebanon.

In 2000, the UN unofficially marked a 121-km "Israeli withdrawal line" between Lebanon and Israel, that is, the Blue Line. In 2007, Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL reached an agreement and decided to erect boundary markers along the Blue Line.

Since the start of the project, Chinese peacekeepers have set up a total of 134 boundary markers, ranking the first among all the UNIFIL troops. Chinese peacekeepers also created the "Chinese quality", "Chinese speed" and "Chinese standards" and are well recognized by the UN, The UNIFIL headquarters, the Lebanese Government and the local people.

Not long ago, the UNIFIL commander Michael Beary invited Chinese peacekeepers to go to the UNIFIL headquarters to build a 1: 1 boundary marker model to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Blue Line boundary marker set-up mission.

The location of the set-up mission is in a three-sided mountain canyon filled with minefields. The only mountain road is steep, narrow and filled with sharp turns. In the early investigation period, the vehicle going downhill often got slippery while going uphill was very difficult as the engine shut off very easily.

"In September last year, the patrol fleet of the Spanish battalion hit the mine in the southern border during a patrol mission and one car was wasted. But fortunately, there is no casualties," said Captain Zhang Xiangwu.

Zhang is the political instructor of the logistics company of the Chinese peacekeeping troops that takes the boundary marker set-up mission. He said that the minefields, complex terrain and poor road conditions have made access to the mission area very difficult and a little carelessness may lead to tragedy.

In the end, the Chinese peacekeepers chose to transport the building materials to a hillside two kilometers away, and then carry the markers to the mission area.

Due to the daily trips of carrying more than 30 kilograms of cement, sand and rocks, the Chinese peacekeepers have layers of calluses on their shoulders and palms. They proudly called it "Medal of Peacekeeping".

The boundary issue between Lebanon and Israel is very sensitive. The margin of error of the boundary marker cannot be longer than 0.4 cm. In the end, the Chinese peacekeepers passed the inspection of the mission with "zero error".

"China is here for peace. All Chinese peacekeepers will keep in mind their mission, live up to the trust, and take practical action for the peace in southern Lebanon!" said Colonel Pu Yi, commanding officer of 15th Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon.

It is reported that the 15th Chinese peacekeeping multifunctional engineer detachment to Lebanon has done a great job since their deployment in the mission area in southern Lebanon last May. It is the only detachment that receives the top award Certificate of Appreciation presented by the UNIFIL.