China

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has involved the largest deployment of UN troops in the history of the UN. The outbreak of war under Charles Taylor caused over 150,000 deaths and almost 1 million displaced persons. Soldiers from over 35 nations sent their troops to aide in peacekeeping. During its initial phase, this involved disarming over 100,000 people. Now, UNMIL is still a part of the peace keeping process in Liberia, but they have divided up their duties amongst various battalions.

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of being a guest at UNMIL China.



They have the largest vehicle inventory numbering over 150, and approximately 200 troops. Their peace keeping mission involves water and sanitation, building roads, education amongst others.

Major Liu gives shares a Power Point presentation about the efforts of UNMIL China.

Everyday, some number of troops will travel significant distances through unpaved roads to aide in rebuilding. Troops typically leave by 6 AM and return by 11 PM. It is arduous work.



The Commanding Officer, Lt Colonel Wang, took a photograph with the Chinese crew members. From left to right, Dorothy, Eddie, Mr. Wang and myself.



We took a tour of their grounds. The barracks are very modest, but very well kept. We met some of the lower-ranking soldiers, who received us with hospitality and humility.

Belongings are at a bare minimum. Each of them own one towel, as you can see.



Can you guess how many soldiers are in each room? Eight, of course!



True to Chinese tradition, there was, in the middle of the African tropics, a Chinese garden, complete with some Chinese greens and bamboo. On a small concrete block, there was also a tree stump which served as a table and four smaller stumps which stood in for chairs. If you have ever been to a park in Chinatown San Francisco, Hong Kong or China (amongst a few places!), this would look familiar to you. It is a common place for elderly Chinese men play Chinese chess. Other recreational activities include table tennis (of course), racing/running and also UNMIL Idol (singing competition) with other bases.

There was even some landscaping art done with weeds!



There is a Level 1 doctor at the base. Level 1 simply treats the soldiers. Level 2 would treat soldiers and have more medicines. If a UN base hospital is Level 3, the community are allowed to visit for health care. The Chinese base has, what else, Chinese medicines!

The doctor tried the traditional cup suction technique on Kelly. But apparently, it doesn't work well on hairy arms.





The biggest delight was being treated to what I would call a 'combat dance'. The soldiers performed traditional kung fu, tai chi as well as some close quarters combat techniques choreographed into a dance routine. It was very impressive!

Did you watch the opening ceremonies for this year's Olympics? 2008 Tai Chi Masters took center stage, doing Tai Chi in concentric circles. Many of them were in fact part of the Chinese army and some of them will be deployed as UN troops. They were all so orderly, and all their motions were in synch. Unfortunately, I think these were the ones that didn't make the Olympic try-outs. (Notice the level of the arms for each soldier).



As I said the close quarters combat soldiers were my favorite. Ironically, the slogan behind them mentions world peace. Maybe world peace through CQC?









After the performance, we took many photos together. Before we said our goodbyes, they presented us with gifts! For the ladies, beautiful bracelets and for the men, bookmarks and CDs with Chinese music.



We might return to the base for the Moon Festival next weekend. If so, it would be lovely to celebrate with our fellow Chinese. I could tell they really enjoyed having visitors and they were really proud of their work, their nation, and their traditions.