By Qu Fatong and Zhang Boyu

BEIJING, Dec. 18 -- On December 15, 2025, local time, the 23rd and 24th Chinese peacekeeping forces to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held a handover ceremony at the Chinese peacekeeping camp in southern Lebanon, marking the 23rd successful rotation of the Chinese peacekeeping force to UNIFIL. Representatives of UNIFIL, Lebanese officials, and friendly peacekeeping troops attended the ceremony.

"Since their full deployment, the Chinese Contingent has carried out every task with professionalism, precision and determination. You brought hope as much as assistance. In a few words, you really made a difference. Thank you all for this!" Major General Diodato Abagnara, Force Commander of UNIFIL, commended the 23rd Chinese peacekeeping force to UNIFIL, and welcomed the incoming 24th Chinese peacekeeping force to perform its duties.

During the past year, facing the complex security situations, the 23rd Chinese peacekeeping force to UNIFIL reinitiated demining operations along the Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon, which had been suspended for two years, cleared nearly 7,000 square meters of minefields and neutralized over 300 mines and other unexploded munitions.

In addition, the Chinese peacekeepers efficiently completed 64 annual tasks including shelter construction, removed 51 roadblocks, cleared more than 3,200 meters of roads, and repaired 44 defensive facilities. They also conducted more than 40 humanitarian assistance activities such as medical outreach, serving more than 4,000 local patients. All the members of the 23rd peacekeeping force to UNIFIL have been awarded the UN Peace Medal of Honor, representing the extensive recognition from UNIFIL and the local people.

Currently, the 24th Chinese peacekeeping force to UNIFIL has fully taken over the duties, and the 23rd Chinese peacekeeping force will return to China soon.

(Video Editor: Yang Xueqing)