Patrolling for peace in UN buffer zone
Chinese police officer faces challenges ranging from grenades to threat of COVID-19 infection in Cyprus
While his family and friends in China were celebrating New Year’s Day, peacekeeper Lan Chao was informed by the UN military in Nicosia, Cyprus, that they had found a grenade in the buffer zone he works in.
Although the 39-year-old has dealt with many incidents in the United Nations’ mission area since 2019, the grenade incident still gives him the shivers.
“If I had run over the grenade while on patrol, I don’t dare imagine the terrible consequences,” he said.
The UN police in Cyprus have been part of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus since 1964, when it was established after the outbreak of intercommunal violence in 1963. The mission was extended in 1974 after further conflict and the UN force was redeployed to patrol the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus and assist in maintaining stability.
Lan is a team leader at the Ledra UN police station in sector two of the UN’s Cyprus mission area, which has 14 officers and covers a buffer zone length of about 60 kilometers.
His main jobs are patrolling and preserving order, resolving civil disputes, controlling civilian access to the zone and issuing permits for farming. Lan said when he chats with the residents they are relaxed, but some are aware they live in an unsafe area as armed conflicts can arise at any time. “Whenever I patrol the buildings and streets destroyed during the conflict, I am struck by the fact that I do not live in a peaceful world, I am just lucky enough to come from a peaceful country,” he said.
Since January 2015, China has sent 31 police officers to participate in peacekeeping operations in Cyprus. At present, of 69 UN police officers in the country, six are from China.
Cold sweats
A police officer from Xingtai City Public Security Bureau in Hebei province, Lan applied for a job with the UN police in September 2016 and arrived in Nicosia in March 2019.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic he has extended his yearlong stay until March, and will remain several months more if the global situation remains unstable.
The recent surge in cases in his home province is a stark reminder that the virus knows no boundaries. While he believes the Hebei authorities are doing their best to control the outbreak, he can’t help worrying about his family.
Lan said some members of the UN peacekeeping force have been infected by COVID-19. UN police officers share the same work building with other peacekeepers, and they take precautionary measures against the virus, such as avoiding gatherings.
When the virus first appeared in the mission area, Lan and his Chinese colleagues insisted on wearing masks to work, but other colleagues didn’t. Some officials with the peacekeeping force even said that wearing masks in the workplace could damage the UN’s image.
Now all peacekeepers are encouraged to wear masks and take protective measures.
Lan said that the number of COVID-19 infections in Cyprus is increasing by several hundred each day, with the highest daily total reaching nearly 1,000. The country announced a second lockdown, from Jan 10 to 31, as the pandemic situation became severe.
Cyprus’s Health Ministry said as of Jan 13 it had recorded a total number of 28,124 cases and 163 deaths. “I often tell my colleagues that the pandemic has changed the world and also our missions,” he said.
Missing his family
Although his family was at first hesitant about his decision to become a UN police officer, they eventually supported him going to Cyprus. Lan left behind two sons, ages 5 and 13, and elderly relatives in poor health.
He booked a flight home for a holiday in January last year, but the COVID-19 situation in China was quite severe.
He eventually abandoned his holiday plans as he was worried he might not be able to make it back to the peacekeeping mission.
“I promised my children I would go back and celebrate Spring Festival with them, I do miss my family. I’ve never left home for two years before. My longest business trip in China was only a few months,” he said.
“However, as a UN police officer and also a Chinese police officer, I must be rational. My philosophy differs from that of my colleagues from other countries. As long as I work here, I will prioritize my work, rather than ignoring my responsibility just because of a vacation.”
On patrol
Lan lives in a local community, works from 7 am to 5 pm, and cooks for himself.
In some joint operations such as combating illegal hunting, smuggling and immigration, he needs to get up earlier. He also has to be on duty 24 hours to answer phone enquiries. To avoid COVID-19 infection, the patrol cars operate in pairs with only one occupant per vehicle. The buffer zone is patrolled at least once a day, with each trip lasting several hours.
Night patrols are more challenging, as there are no street lights to guide the police officers through rugged terrain. “Only the stars and the moon accompany us on the night patrol. The routes among the mountains are narrow and dangerous. On one side of the road is an abyss and any carelessness could have serious consequences,” he said.
In summer, the temperature can hit 45 C, and in winter heavy rain can wash away roads and bridges, making the patrol more difficult.
“I am proud to be part of the peacekeeping work and promote a country’s peace process,” Lan said. “The pandemic and other difficulties cannot deter me and I will shoulder my responsibilities for the rest of my stay.”