Chinese Contingent Inaugurates New Equipment

16 Mar 2015

Chinese Contingent Inaugurates New Equipment

In early January, the base of the Chinese Transport Company at Starbase was a colourful spectacle of brand-new vehicles and equipment freshly arrived from China. On hand to celebrate the occasion were Hubert Price, Director of Mission Support, and Lt.-Col. HE Long, the Commander of the Chinese contingent, who handed over the keys of the vehicles to the drivers and helped decorate the new equipment. Price praised the continuous support by the Chinese government to the UN Mission in Liberia.

The new equipment inaugurated include 39 transport and engineering vehicles, 4 generators, 109 sets of communication equipment, 16 pieces of medical equipment, and 32 pieces of spare parts. This is one of the largest supplements of equipment since Chinese peacekeepers were deployed in 2003.The new equipment will replace those deemed beyond repair and enhance the peacekeepers’ capacity to carry out their duties.

“The arrival of these new vehicles and equipment reflects that the Chinese government’s determined support to peacekeeping process in Liberia. And these new vehicles and equipment will undoubtedly enhance the capacity of Chinese contingents to fulfill their mandates,” said Price.

The Chinese contingent in Liberia was first deployed in December 2003 and consists of three components - the Transport Company deployed in Monrovia, the Engineering Company and Level II Hospital deployed in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County. They deliver cargoes, repair roads and bridges and provide medical service to UN staff and local residents. Till now, China has deployed 9,486 peacekeepers in 17 batches of contingents to Liberia.

They have transported 780,000 tons of cargo, rehabilitated and repaired over 6,000 km of roads, built and maintained 69 bridges, and treated more than 46,000 patients.

During the height of the Ebola outbreak, Chinese government sent a team of 163 military medical personnel to Liberia and built an Ebola treatment unit in SKD sport stadium.