China trains Cambodian peacekeepers

KAMPONG SPEU, Cambodia - Chinese military trainers on Wednesday successfully ended the 2nd mine clearance course for 52 Cambodian peacekeeping forces after a six-week intensive training.

The course, instructed by a team of 12 Chinese military experts, had been conducted at the Institute for Peacekeeping Forces, Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance. ?

According to Colonel Sun Hui, head of the Chinese experts, Cambodian trainees had been taught about theories on mine clearance, on-field demining practices and humanitarian rescue operations.

Major General Ton Saly, Deputy Director General of the Institute for Peacekeeping Forces, Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance, expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and Chinese People's Liberation Army for helping build capacity for Cambodian soldiers.

"The training is very important to improve the capacity for Cambodian peacekeepers," he said.

He said those trainees would be assigned to join the United Nations peacekeeping operations in the near future.

"Under the course, friendly relations between the Cambodian and Chinese armies will get closer and closer," he said.