By Wang Yunlong and Yin Bo
LEBANON, Feb. 22, (ChinaMil) -- The Chinese and Cambodian peacekeeping forces to Lebanon conducted the first safe and efficient mine sweeping and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) discussion at the camp of Chinese peacekeeping troops in Lebanon and the minefield near the UN demarcated Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon on February 19 in 2019.
Commander of the Chinese peacekeeping troops to Lebanon had a formal discussion with his Cambodian counterpart Colonel Luk Saray regarding safe and efficient mine-sweeping experience, and carried out in-depth exchanges on issues that both parties are concerned about, such as the construction of peacekeeping forces, humanitarian relief, and emergency defense practices.
The two sides also held intensive discussions on issues such as maneuver security, handling of complex situations, as well as the equipment configuration in the construction of an EOD group following the adjustment stipulated in the new memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the process of mine sweeping.
"The Chinese and Cambodian mine-sweeping detachments are the only two professional forces with both mine clearance and EOD certifications in the mission area, so it is of great significance for the two sides to strengthen cooperation and exchanges to improve their abilities to accomplish relevant missions…" said Colonel Saray.
As of today, the 17th Chinese peacekeeping multifunctional engineer detachment to Lebanon has accumulatively cleared 6,078 square meters of minefields, found and destructed 1,213 land mines and one piece of unexploded ordnance (UXO). They have also completed the maintenance for 15 channels and conducted 23 times of task surveys for boundary markers known as the "Bucket of Peace" near the Blue Line.
It is reported that the Chinese minesweepers have set many records for obtaining the mine clearance and EOD qualification certifications and operating on the minefield in the shortest time as well as clearing the first land mine as quick as possible since their deployment on May 22, 2018.