China's first peacekeeping force
At the request from UN secretary-general, China first sent its
military observers as peacekeeping personnel in 1990. From April, 1992 to
September, 1993, China sent out a military construction brigade of 800 engineers
to Cambodia. This was the first Chinese peacekeeping force.
The military construction brigade completed a series of formidable
missions under the command of Lieutenant General John M. Sanderson, commander of
UN troops in Cambodia. They renovated four highways in a short period of time.
They also renovated Pochentong Airport and Changtin Airport.
General Sanderson spoke highly of the military construction brigade:
"These Chinese engineers are excellent soldiers. They are brave, efficient and
righteous, and have an admirable spirit of sacrifice."
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