The second batch of Chinese peacekeeping troop will depart today for the war-torn West African nation of Liberia to replace those sent last year.

The military peacekeepers will be responsible for the safe transportation of goods and other peacekeeping troops in the troubled West African country during their eight-month tour of duty, reported China Central Television yesterday.

The deployment follows the dispatch of 125 riot police to strife-torn Haiti two months ago.

At the request of the UN and approved by the Chinese Government and Central Military Commission, China sent the first peacekeeping contingent to Liberia last year.

According to the General Logistics Department of the People's Liberation Army, before their departure, the soldiers received intensive training in shooting, field survival, land mine removal and first aid.

The move comes as another batch of police officers moved to training bases in Guangdong. This will be followed by three-month special training at the UN peacekeeping training centre in Langfang of North China's Hebei Province, said sources with the Guangdong Public Security Bureau.

This is the first time that all peacekeeping policemen, who specialize in riot control, have been selected from a single province Guangdong.

(China Daily 12/22/2004 page2)