By Huang Yuanli, Qu Fatong and Wu Peichen
The French peacekeepers try to operate the mine clearance and EOD robot of the Chinese peacekeeping troops. (Photo by Huang Yuanli)
BEIRUT, Apr. 7 -- The 22nd Chinese Peacekeeping Multi-Role Engineering Company to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had exchanges on mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) with the French peacekeeping battalion on the morning of April 4, the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Relevant members of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the Combat and Engineering Division under the UNIFIL Command were also present at the event.
In the camp of the Multi-Role Engineering Company, Chinese peacekeepers carried out demonstrations and exchanges including on-site operations, equipment introduction and experience sharing. They presented more than 10 types of mine clearance and EOD equipment such as the high-energy laser destruction system for unexploded bombs, EOD robot, explosion-proof suit and extended scope.
In the process of interaction, the French peacekeepers tried on Chinese mine clearance and EOD suits and tried out Chinese mine detectors. They also watched the operational demonstration of the EOD robot picking and transferring "explosives" and the high-energy laser destruction system for unexploded bombs penetrating the steel plate. The two sides exchanged their opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of their respective mine clearance and EOD equipment and associated experience and practices.
The Chinese peacekeeping force in Lebanon has been undertaking mine clearance and EOD tasks since 2006, during which they have disposed of over 10,000 mines and unexploded bombs in total, and created a record of zero accidents and zero casualties.