Chinese peacekeepers to Sudan awarded

Brig. Zakir Hussain presents the UN peace medals to Chinese peacekeepers. (Photo by He Yuedong)

The United Nations (UN) held an awarding ceremony at the camp of the Chinese peacekeeping medical detachment in Wau, capital of the Western Bahr El Ghazal State, in south Sudan to confer the UN peace medals onto the 7th batch of Chinese peacekeepers to Sudan (Wau) on February 10, 2011. Senior officers with the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and commanding officers of the troop-contributing countries in the theatre attended the ceremony.

At 11:30, the solemn awarding ceremony raised its curtain amid the resounding National Anthem of the People s Republic of China. Brig. Zakir Hussain, deputy force commander of the UNMIS who made a special trip from Khartoum, reviewed Chinese peacekeeping troops made up of 435 officers and men and watched the marching in formation. Then he and Wu Shuchen, the Chinese military attach to Sudan, presented the UN peace medals to the officers and men.

Hussain said in his speech that the Chinese peacekeepers to Sudan played an important role in peacekeeping and reconstruction there. They have displayed authentic commitment and passion in various fields of work and set an example as a professional, diligent and devoted force for the UNMIS troops.

"It is my crowning glory to participate in the UN peacekeeping operations as a Chinese soldier. I will always treasure the memories of today s awarding ceremony," said Wang Yinkun, a driver from the transportation detachment, who could hardly conceal his excitement.

"I can strongly feel that our country is gaining in power and status during each of my peacekeeping missions abroad. The medals belong to our motherland!" Li Zenggang with the medical detachment said emotionally at the end of the awarding ceremony. It was the third time that he had been awarded the UN peace medal.