STORY: Chinese peacekeepers to DRC awarded UN Peace Medal
SHOOTING TIME: April 9, 2024
DATELINE: April 10, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:54
LOCATION: BUKAVU, DR Congo     
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. shot of Bintou Keita, head of MONUSCO, delivering speech
2. SOUNDBITE(English): BINTOU KEITA, Head of MONUSCO
3. various of Chinese peacekeeping mission in the DRC

STORYLINE:

The 27th Chinese Peacekeeping Contingent to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) was awarded the UN Peace Medal on Tuesday.

The awarding ceremony took place at the camp of the engineering company of the Chinese contingent on the outskirts of Bukavu, the capital of the eastern province of South Kivu.

Over the past 21 years, the Chinese peacekeepers have exemplified dedication and professionalism through their mission, said Bintou Keita, the top UN envoy in the DRC, heading MONUSCO, in her remarks. She also thanked the Chinese government for sending peacekeepers to South Kivu Province since 2003.

SOUNDBITE(English): BINTOU KEITA, Head of MONUSCO
"We have to say that we are very proud of the performance over the numerous years that they have contributed to improving the road infrastructure. We have to remember that road infrastructure is not just about the road. It is about facilitating the movement of the peacekeepers themselves, it is facilitating the movement of the population, it is facilitating trade, it is facilitating the number of economic and social activities."

Zhao Bin, Chinese ambassador to the DRC said that through medical care and road construction, the Chinese peacekeepers have contributed to maintaining peace and fostering friendship, winning high praise from MONUSCO, the Congolese government and the people of South Kivu.

As a reliable friend and comprehensive strategic partner of the DRC, China has always firmly supported the DRC's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Zhao stressed, noting that China has always done its best to help the DRC strengthen its security capacity.

Since their deployment in September 2023, the 27th batch of Chinese peacekeepers has fulfilled the mission of maintaining peace in eastern DRC. The engineering company has organized 13 engineering surveys and completed 16 projects to high standards, while the medical company has received about 500 patients, providing medical support for MONUSCO members based in Bukavu.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bukavu, DR Congo.
(XHTV)