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The Chinese battalion serving with the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon is "secure and well-stocked" and has been staying in the blindage within its compound.

 

The latest information was provided yesterday by an official at the Chinese Embassy in Beirut who identified himself only with the surname Chi.

 

"They are secure and well-stocked," he said, telling the families of the soldiers back in China not to worry about their loved ones as the embassy is in constant communication with the battalion.

 

They are staying within their headquarters until Israeli hostilities in the region cease. Their food and water are provided by UN agencies.

 

The Chinese battalion, consisting of 190 people, is the first peacekeeping force sent by the Chinese government to the Middle East.

 

The battalion, which was deployed to southern Lebanon, is designed to carry out missions such as mine removal, building and maintaining roads and humanitarian assistance.

 

Chi said he had no idea whether there are efforts to pull the soldiers out of the region.

 

"Any decisions on whether they should stay or redeployed or be evacuated will be taken at UN headquarters in New York," he said.

 

China is contributing the most troops among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in the ongoing peacekeeping missions, said Wan Dong, an official with Ministry of National Defense.

 

He said China has sent about 5,600 peacekeeping soldiers to 15 UN peacekeeping missions since 1990, when China began to be involved.

 

China has 1,300 soldiers serving with UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Sudan.

 

The Chinese battalion, which comprises a minesweeping company, an engineering company, a logistics company and an in-field hospital, left Beijing for Lebanon in mid-March.

 

Its members have been trained in foreign languages and other skills related to peacekeeping.

 

(China Daily July 20, 2006)