Chinese peacekeeping teams depart for Central African Republic, Cyprus

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Two teams of Chinese police peacekeepers, comprising a total of seven officers, have departed for United Nations missions in the Central African Republic and Cyprus, the Ministry of Public Security said on Friday.

A departure ceremony was held in Beijing on Thursday for the two teams, said the ministry, adding that upon arrival in the mission areas, the peacekeepers will focus on safeguarding civilian security, assisting in the development of local policing systems, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, and protecting UN personnel and facilities.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China firmly supports and actively participates in UN peacekeeping operations. An official with the ministry noted that China's police peacekeepers would carry out their duties under the UN mandate, including combating crime, protecting human rights and rebuilding local law enforcement capacity.  ■